For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
For 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 ESV)
Last weekend at the family reunion I heard a story of a couple who had a great surprise in their life.
Professionally, he was a pharmacist, but he also did pyrotechnic displays on the side. Although he had recently left the fireworks business, he had stored a significant amount of fireworks in his barn for future celebrations, such as his children’s graduations and weddings.
One day, he plugged in a tractor battery to charge and left to run an errand in town. While he was away, the battery charger overheated, starting a fire that ignited all the stored fireworks at once. The resulting explosions produced sonic booms heard for miles, breaking windows in both his own house and a neighboring farmstead.
His new girlfriend, visiting from out of state and alone in the house at the time, was—understandably—shocked by the unexpected discharge. Fast forward almost fifteen years, and this makes a great story, even if at the time it was quite the surprise.
Some surprises are welcome—and others, not so much. For instance, Joshua and Caleb were likely shocked by how the other ten spies responded to their report about the Promised Land.
In Numbers 13–14, we read the story of twelve men sent to scout Canaan. These were men who had witnessed firsthand the power of Yahweh: they saw him bring plagues upon the Egyptians while sparing the Israelites, miraculously provide them with Egyptian plunder, lead them out of slavery, and part the Red Sea so that millions could cross on dry ground.
Yet when they reached the border of the Promised Land and were asked to explore it, ten of them returned with a fearful report. They were intimidated by the fortified cities, the strength of the inhabitants, and even the presence of giants. Joshua and Caleb had seen the same land, but with eyes of faith. They believed that, with the Lord’s help, the Israelites could absolutely conquer it. Their courage stood in stark contrast to the others’ fear. One can only imagine how stunned and disheartened they must have felt by the overwhelming doubt and fear of the rest.
Surprises can be wonderful—and that’s the direction I plan to take in an upcoming blog post. But of course, not all surprises are good. Some are devastating and life-altering. The couple above lost their barn entirely, and the Israelites were forced to wander the wilderness for forty years while an unfaithful generation passed away before they could enter the Promised Land.
Yet—this is where God steps in. That same couple is now married and running a beautiful, peaceful rescue farm. And during their years in the desert, the Israelites experienced God’s faithfulness again and again, even in the midst of their delay.
Today, let us trust God for his faithfulness in our surprises.
God,
We thank you that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning, and that your faithfulness lasts a lifetime. Thank you that your ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and that you are our very present help in times of trouble.
Today, we lift up those who are facing unexpected challenges—especially the ones we see as negative. We think of those who have received an unforeseen diagnosis, experienced a sudden death, suffered a mysterious loss, faced a health crisis, endured betrayal or abandonment, been caught in conflict, lost a job without warning, or lived through natural disasters—and so many other painful surprises.
In these hard places, God, be very present to those who are struggling. Be their Rock, their Fortress, and their Firm Foundation in the storms of life. In your infinite mercy and grace, we ask you to turn desperate situations into miracles. Turn hopelessness into hope. Turn mourning into dancing. Do what only you can do, we pray in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 ESV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)
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 NIV)
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1 ESV)
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2 NIV)
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness.
(Psalm 30:11 ESV)