“‘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
Recently, many golf fans around the world expected the U.S. to defeat Europe in the Ryder Cup. They had good reason to believe this because there was a solid foundation of statistics to support it. For example, the U.S. had an average world golf ranking of 11 compared to 19 for the Europeans. The U.S. also had seven players ranked in the top 44 of strokes gained putting, while the Europeans had two.
Unfortunately, Europe ended up defeating the U.S. handedly, shocking golf fans across the globe.
This same idea of failed expectations occurs in our faith. As humans, we build up expectations all the time, even ones we believe have a solid foundation in God’s will. However, they still may fail. This can be painful and confusing because we put so much thought and effort into an anticipated outcome that doesn’t pan out. Fortunately, we have truth for this matter that keeps us grounded. In Isaiah 55, we read that God’s thoughts and ways are far greater than our own.
This should provide comfort when our own ways fail, because we have a God so great, whose thoughts and ways are infinitely more beneficial to us. Let us rest in the peace that this truth offers. Let us not fixate on or worry about our own failed expectations. Let us hold fast to the perfect and mighty ways of the Lord. Amen.
— Luke Heaton
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