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ISAIAH 55:8,9

"GOD'S SUPERIOR SAYS"

Intro: The question, "'Why did God?" comes up often, not only from others, but in our
       own mind. In my earlier years of ministry I used to try to answer. Now I
       confess, I don't know.

I. GOD SAID, FOR MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS."
        A. God does not always do what I think He should, now, what a miracle, surely
           the whole family would believe.
                1. I think,  "if the Lord would only heal him would believe."
                        a. The rich man in hell said to Abraham, "Send Lazarus back
                           to warn my..."
                2. I think, "If the Lord would only save him."
                3. I think, "Why does God allow the ungodly to prosper?"
                4. I think, "When they are such beautiful saints why must they suffer?"
                5. I think at times I could run Gods business better than He does.
        B. God does not always do what I ask Him to.
                1. Yet Jesus said, "Ask and Ye shalt receive."
                        a. "And what things soever ye desire when..."
                        b. "Hence forth ye have asked nothing in My..."
                2. To whom did Jesus make these promises?
                        a. His disciples.
                        b. What was the qualification? "Deny himself, take up his cross,
                           and follow Me."
                                1. How much of what I ask is selfish?
                3. I may be praying, "Please don't let it rain, so I might complete
                   my building." Next door the farmer might be praying please send the
                   rain for my crops,
                4. Even Jesus when He prayed said "Nevertheless, not what I will, but thy
                   will be done."
                        a. There are those who would scoff at this as a lack of faith.
                        b. I believe it takes greater faith.
                        c. This is really a true test of faith, some follow Christ
                           to this point, then turn away. "God failed me"

II. "NEITHER ARE YOUR WAYS MY WAYS SAITH THE LORD."
        A. There are some who always think their way is right.
                1. They have an opinion on every subject and are happy to give it to you.
                2. I used to know a lot more than I do now.
                        a. Before we had children I knew all the answers to raising
                           kids, way.
        B. There are those who insist on doing it their way.
                1. If you don't, they won't play.
                2. And if God doesn't do it just the way they want it done they quit.
        C. God's ways are past our finding out. Rom 3:11.

III. "FOR AS THE HEAVENS ARE HIGHER THAN THE EARTH."
        A. How much higher are the heavens than the earth? Infinitely!
                1. So are God's thoughts and ways infinitely higher than yours.
                2. We have a limited knowledge of the facts.
                3. We have no certain knowledge of our immediate future.
                        a. All our plans for tomorrow may be canceled by our death tonight.
        B. What is true wisdom?
                1. Commit your ways completely to the Lord.
        C. "What is true faith?"
                1. Trust in God even though you can't see or understand.