The Golden Nugget: “God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame.” —Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Daily Verse: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” —Isaiah 55:8–9

Daily Message: 
God said flat-out to his people that his way of thinking was much higher than their way of thinking. That has not changed through the centuries, regardless of how hard we humans try. But don’t look at God’s statement as if he’s bragging. God meant for you to understand that his way of thinking and acting are much more committed to your good than yours is capable of being to his.

Before God tells the Israelites that they cannot match his thinking and his actions, he tells them that he will take care of all their needs. He promises to give drink to the thirsty, food to the impoverished, and to nourish us with the best. He promises a life that never ends if we will believe what we hear from him. He promises that he will listen when we call for him and absolve our wrong-minded thoughts and actions. He promises to have mercy and freely pardon everyone who has wronged him. 

The simple fact that you’re likely wondering “Why?” in response to this list of promises is proof that God thinks and does things differently. Maybe it’s enough to know that he does it for you.

Consider This:

• Why is it difficult for a person to forgive everything that has ever happened to her or him?
• Why would God want to think and act in “higher” ways?

Take Action:
Read Isaiah 55.