Discover His heart: He reveals His thoughts and ways through His Word
When author Dr. John Gray wrote his book several years ago, Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars, his goal was to help men and women understand each other, to help them understand why their mates think the way they think and do the things they do. Kudos to Dr. Gray for attempting the near impossible! However, according to Isaiah 55, this challenge is a piece of cake, as they say, in comparison to understanding the thoughts and ways of God. It’s not a matter of different planets – we’re talking beyond the Universe!
@ Isaiah 55
“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.’” (8-9) So how in the world, no pun intended, are we ever able to know and understand our God?
When I begin a new computer program or application, I approach the instructions and guidelines with fear and trepidation because understanding computerese is not my gifting. I must admit that it’s somewhat demoralizing for me to read the instructions and then find it necessary to Google for instructions on how to understand the instructions, but I’m always thankful for the help. And fortunately, God has not left us without support to know and to follow Him and His ways. He has given us His Word.
Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, God’s Word was written by holy men to help us understand our Creator, our God. (2 Peter 1:19-21) Just like we desire that our friends know and understand us, God desires that we know and understand Him. He, on the other hand, knows us better than we know ourselves
God’s Word is intentional. Just as an arrow leaves the bow on an unaltered course, God’s Word whether heard or read cannot be retrieved – it will reach its mark. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”(10-11)
I recently heard the story of a young boy who attended a Sunday School class one time and heard one scripture read by the teacher that day. The boy grew to be a man, never attending church or hearing God’s Word again. But one day 40 years later, one God-appointed day when the man needed it most, that scripture came back to him. Because of it, he gave his heart to the Lord and has a great testimony to share today. God’s Word restores, renews and replenishes just as faithfully as His rain produces fruit. Whether in reading it ourselves or in sharing it with others, God’s Word is powerful in our lives, and its potential is far more significant than we can imagine.
Created to be in an intimate relationship with God, I can’t think of a single reason to miss reading God’s Word each day. It is Holy Spirit inspired to help me understand the heart of God whose thoughts and ways cannot be comprehended without it, and it is intentional in touching my life in a very personal way. Reading His Word every day? It’s a no-brainer.
Moving Forward: Without excuse and full of desire, I gladly read His Word today so that I may know Him and know His heart. The added bonus to my reading – “You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! (12) Let the music begin!
Tomorrow @ Matthew 26-28
Phyllis Benigas 