My Ways Are Higher

Phase 3 – Grace as the Means

Grace versus earning. Seek Him while He may be found.

Passage: Isaiah 55:6–11

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8–9 (NLT)

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8–9

Reflection

This continues the invitation, but now the message becomes more direct. “Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.”

There is urgency here. Not pressure, but opportunity, because there is a moment where He may be found, so do not miss it.

And then the call becomes, “Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong.” Repentance. And not just external change, but a change and turning of the heart. A decision to stop going our way, and to return to His way.

And it is here where the tension comes into view. Because our way is not His way. God’s way of redemption is grace. Our way of redemption is earning. We try to fix ourselves, to improve ourselves or to make ourselves acceptable.

But God says, “My ways are higher.” Not just slightly better, but completely different. As high as the heavens are above the earth. Different. That is the gap.

We cannot reach Him by our efforts and we cannot earn what He gives. And yet, “He will have mercy… He will forgive generously.”

This is the difference with God. Our way says, earn it. His way says, receive it. And this is exactly what we see echoed in Ephesians 2:8-9. We are saved by grace through faith. Not by works. Not by what we do. So that no one can boast. This is God’s way.

And then the focus turns to His Word. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth…” We are to see this as a picture of certainty, purpose and of life being produced.

“So also is my word… it will accomplish all I want it to.” Because what God has spoken will stand. And what He has promised will happen. His Word is not empty, it is effective and it accomplishes what it is sent to do.

And that includes this invitation, to seek, to return, and to receive. This passage brings both correction and comfort.

Correction, because our instincts are wrong. We have a tendancy to lean toward earning, striving, and trying to make ourselves right.

But we should hear comfort, because God’s ways are so much better than ours. Higher, full of mercy and full of grace.

There is both urgency and invitation here. Seek Him, turn to Him, trust Him.

And again, not by earning, but by receiving what He has freely given.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Thank You that Your ways are so much higher than my own. Forgive me for the ways I try to earn what You have already given.

Help me to turn from my own thinking and to trust in Your grace. Teach me to seek You while You are near, and not delay in responding to Your call.

Let Your Word take root in my life and accomplish what You desire. Help me to live from what I have received, not by striving to earn it.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.