The Thoughts of God and Man

The Thoughts of God and ManText: Isaiah 55:6-11

In discussing matters of religion/spirituality, many people base their view on what they think. The problem with basing our beliefs/practices on what we think is that we are not God. Even with the best of intentions, what we think does not justify us.

Seek the Lord

  • This is what all men have been called to do – He has provided the way for us to find Him (Eccl. 3:11; Acts 17:26-27; Romans 1:20)
  • While He may be found” – we do not have an unlimited amount of time to do this; God’s judgment is coming (Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10); we must use the time we have now to seek the Lord (2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Peter 3:9-10)
  • How we seek the Lord – forsake our wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts, which is repentance (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9); return to the Lord, which implies obedience (Matthew 11:28-30; 28:18-20)
  • He will abundantly pardon” – faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9); will not remember our sins against us (Hebrews 8:12)

God’s Thoughts and Ways Are Higher

  • As the heavens are higher than the earth” – infinitely superior in every way
  • We cannot do whatever we desire and expect to please God – following our desires leads to sin which leads to death (James 1:14-15); rooted in the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17)
  • We cannot presume to know what will please God – we can do many things “in His name” but be guilty of practicing “lawlessness” (Matthew 7:21-23); doing what “seems right” will lead to “death” (Proverbs 14:12)
  • We cannot improve upon God’s word – His word is true (John 17:17), complete (2 Peter 1:3), and unchanging (Psalm 119:89); therefore, anything contrary to it is false (Romans 3:4), we must not add to it (Proverbs 30:6), and we must not change it (Galatians 1:8-9)
  • We cannot discover God’s will apart from His revelation – we cannot know anyone’s thoughts unless they tell us; same is true with God (1 Corinthians 2:11-12, 16); we can only know what God thinks by what His word says (Deuteronomy 29:29)

God’s Word Will Accomplish What He Desires

  • Example of God’s ongoing providence (cf. Genesis 8:22; Acts 14:17) – the rain does what it is supposed to do; this continues perpetually
  • So will My word be…” – this will not be true of man’s words; God’s word does what it is supposed to do (Romans 1:16), though people will react differently to it (2 Corinthians 2:14-16); God’s word will endure forever (1 Peter 1:23-25; Matthew 24:35)
  • We can have confidence in the word of God (Proverbs 30:5)
  • We will always need and benefit from the word of God (Acts 20:32)

Conclusion

  • God’s thoughts are infinitely superior to ours
  • Therefore, we must look to what He has revealed to learn what we ought to believe, teach, and practice