https://odb.org/2025/06/17/missing-chocolates
Isaiah 55:8–13 (NIV): 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers, the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
Just yesterday evening at our young adults’ cell group, we were talking about God’s healing and whether God always answers prayers. The humorous answer was, “Yes, He does! It’s yes, no or later!”. But of course, you and I know the true intent of the question, and the answer has to be no. There are times when He says no, and most of the time, we don’t really understand why.
About 15 years ago, a close friend of ours, a lay pastor who worked with a few of us to run a small church, passed. We questioned why God didn’t protect Him by reminding him to go for his medical examination earlier. He was 40 then and only went for his first medical examination and, at that age, only found out he had a congenital heart condition. The same day his GP referred him to hospital, he had a heart attack, and for seven days, we prayed for him as he lied in comatose, but God didn’t heal or revive him. He left behind 5 young children and a widow.
In retrospect, while we couldn’t understand fully, we saw that God had a different plan for him and his family. Now, 15 years later, his family has thrived and experienced genuine love and support from the family of God. There was even a brother who gave them a car to use in addition to various brethren chipping in to take care of the education needs of his children. Another sister gave his widow a job to run her music centre while affording her the opportunity to teach piano. The family experienced many other blessings from God.
His thoughts are not our thoughts, and neither are His ways our ways. As believers, we may not fully understand or grasp His true and long-term intent. The best way forward is always to trust Him. He knows what’s best for us and our loved ones. Certain unexpected things might have happened, but we know that as Paul believes, in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Commit all that has happened in our past, good and bad, unto Him. Trust that He will work everything out for good, and we are confident that He will because His thoughts and ways are not ours!
Ronnie's Thoughts 