God's Thoughts and Ways Above Ours: they didn't know the important things

 The question of disciples of Jesus: “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” (Luke 9:54)

The rebuking answer of Jesus: “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:55-56)

The Samaritans did not receive Jesus, and James and John were so angry that they spoke these words. This question shows what they knew. They knew that the attitude of the Samaritans towards Jesus was wrong, they knew what the prophet Elijah did, they knew that before doing anything they should ask Jesus, they knew that if the Lord allows them, they can do the same thing that Elijah did. But they didn't know two important things: they didn't know what spirit they were from, they didn't know why Jesus came. Jesus rebuked them and reminded them that the purpose of His coming was not to destroy people's lives, but to save them.

Topical meditation 2024

March 10

God's Thoughts and Ways Above Ours: Ananias' hesitation and the answer of Jesus

 The hesitation of Christ’s disciple: "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem." (Acts 9:13)

The answer of Jesus: 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.'" (Acts 9:15)

What Ananias had heard about Paul was true. Paul had done much harm to the Lord's saints in Jerusalem and was coming to Damascus to arrest the believers in Jesus. But God knew more about Paul. He who persecutes the followers of Christ will become a follower of Christ himself; he is a chosen vessel to testify to the name of Christ before the Gentiles and Jews. He who persecuted Christ's disciples will himself be persecuted and suffer for the name of Jesus.

In the transformation of Saul to Paul, we witness the profound wisdom and sovereignty of God, who turns persecutors into proclaimers, demonstrating His ability to use even the most unlikely vessels for His glory.

Topical meditation 2024

March 9

God's Thoughts and Ways Above Ours: Sinful man or son of Abraham?

 People’s complaint: “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!” (Luke 19:7)

The words of Jesus: “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:9)

People only saw Zacchaeus as a sinful man. He was a tax collector, a person who defrauded people. They knew he was sinful. Jesus knew that this sinful man would make haste and come down and receive Him with joy. He knew he was a son of Abraham and would repent. Zacchaeus longed to see Jesus, and Jesus saw his longing, his effort to see Him. Not only did Zacchaeus see Jesus, but Jesus also saw Zacchaeus.

People knew he was a rich man who had deprived others. Jesus knew that he would give half of his possessions to the poor and repay fourfold those whom he had deprived.

Jesus doesn't think like people think: He has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

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March 8

God's Thoughts and Ways Above Ours: question of men and question of Jesus

 Question of men: "'Why this waste? " (Matthew 26:8)

Question of Jesus: "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me." (Matthew 26:10)

I've meditated on this story many times before, especially since it's about my favorite biblical heroine. This time, the questions caught my attention. The first question was asked by those complaining about Mary of Bethany's action, and they called her deed 'a waste.' The second question was asked by our Lord to the complainers, showing His approval of Mary's action, and called her action a "good work." He also mentioned for whom the good deed was done: for Jesus.

Mary did not think about what people would think or what appreciation they would give to her action; she just wanted to show her love, gratitude, and dedication to Jesus. She did it for Jesus, not for attention. When we do anything for Jesus, no matter how many people disapprove, Jesus will approve.

God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts. The stark contrast between how men viewed Mary's actions as 'a waste' and how the Lord deemed it 'a good work' emphasizes the incomprehensible depth of God's wisdom and love.

Topical meditation 2024

March 7

God's Thoughts and Ways Above Ours: Samuel's thought and God's answer

 Human thought: "Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him!" (1 Samuel 16:6)

God’s answer: "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

A true prophet of God drew the wrong conclusion when he saw Eliab's beauty and stature. He thought God had chosen Eliab to be king. Jesse didn't even think to call David, who was tending the sheep at that moment. Neither David's father nor God's true prophet could have guessed who would be chosen by God to be king. God had chosen one whose heart was right before Him, one who had chosen to follow God's commandments.

It is possible to impress people with external beauty, external piety, but not God. He sees what is inside the cup and dish that shines outside; He sees the impurity inside the whitewashed tomb. He esteemed a man according to His own heart someone whom we saw as an adulterer and a murderer. Because He does not see as man sees.

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March 6

God's Thoughts and Ways Above Ours: God's way and Naaman's angry response

 God’s way: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you, and you will be clean.” (2 Kings 5:10)

Human thought: “I thought that he would surely come out, stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:11)

Obedience to God's Word is hindered by preconceived opinions, conclusions drawn from one's own imagination. Naaman was angry when the prophet Elisha told him to wash seven times in the Jordan because he had imagined in advance how Elisha would heal him. Pride puts one's own opinion above God's Word. God doesn't work the way we think. If His assignment is very easy and simple, we should not think that it is ineffective.

If I pray about a problem, I should not prefigure how God is going to solve that problem. Let me not say, "I thought," because God's ways are higher than my ways.

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March 5

God's Thoughts and Ways Above Ours: Elijah's thought and God's answer

 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says 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)

God's ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and our thoughts. His plans are always wise and perfect. This week, I want to recall examples from the Bible that support that truth.

Human thought: "I am the only one left…" (1 Kings 19:14)

God’s thought: "Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:18)

In despair, Elijah thought that he was the only one left who was zealous for God, that he was the only one among those who remained faithful to the Lord. The Lord said that he reserved seven thousand people in Israel, who did not bow down to Baal, did not serve idols.

Many Christians have experienced Elijah's feeling of loneliness and said desperate words like him. "I am the only one left who believes in the pure scriptural teaching, in my school, in my town I am the only one who follows the Bible." But it is not so; the Lord has people everywhere who are faithful to the Word of God.

I'm not the only one left.

Topical meditation 2024

March 4