When Isaiah speaks of God’s thoughts being above ours, it can be seen as a secret type of knowledge that is inaccessible to us simple-minded humans; instead, it is speaking about the mercy of God being inaccessible to us sinful hearted humans. God sees all the places our lives take turns that are unexpected to us. There are times when we are left scratching our heads that we will sometimes be told, “His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.” While this line of thought does appeal to the truth that God is sovereign, Isaiah 55 cannot be used as a proof text for that reasoning.

While God does have control over all things and is intricately wise, Isaiah 55 is assuring us of God’s completely compassionate and merciful heart for people like us. The difference between us and God in Isaiah 55 is not our simple mindedness and God’s high mindedness, but between our shallow and slow heartedness and God’s full and forgiving heart for sinners who trust Him. Isaiah 55 reassures us that God’s heart is nothing like our hearts.

In the beauty of our redemption God will also cause our hearts to beat in time with His so we can also become lovers of the lost like Him.

• In what ways have you “made” God in your image and after your own likeness?

• Do you find it easy or hard to believe that God’s heart really is full of compassion for you, even in the midst of your wanderings? Why?

• If you’re comfortable enough, share with your Gospel Community the particular areas in your life that you struggle to trust God’s heart to abundantly pardon you?

• Who do you struggle to love? How does God’s love for you relate to your ability to love others?