![]() ![]() We can say that he has divine greatness ( Romans 3:23) and always has been, and always will be, blameless ( 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5). We can say that his ways are simply beyond what we can do ( 1 Peter 2:22-24). We can say that his ways are higher than ours. We can also worship him by stating the truths of his Word. We can worship God through our humility and submission to him. Because of this, we must humble ourselves and submit to him. Knowing that God’s ways are better than ours, we should humble ourselves. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Gordon Images We are humbled by the fact that God’s ways are much better than ours ( 1 Peter 2:22-24, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42, Matthew 26:39 and Matthew 26:42), and they always will be. Our sinful selves are against God, and God is against our sinful selves ( Galatians 5:17). In contrast, our sin means we are unacceptable to God ( Mark 7:23). God always has been and always will be sinless ( 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5). Even our good works are called dirty rags ( Isaiah 64:6). We may think we are fair, but we are unfair compared to God. God is fair while we are unfair ( Ezekiel 18:25-29). Our ways are much lower than God’s, so we cannot boast about our ways. The heavens (the sky or the larger universe) are much greater than the earth itself, which is how God compares his ways to ours ( Isaiah 55:9). We are kept humble by the fact that God’s ways are not our ways. Because of this, God’s ways not being our ways helps us trust God. God’s ways are sinless, forgiving, merciful, gracious, loving, humble, and truthful. We want to take matters into our own hands. We are prideful and selfish, unable to imagine willingly taking blame and punishment for someone else’s mistakes. We follow our way, trusting only ourselves. When we suffer and are insulted, we insult back and threaten. Jesus gave his own life for us, so we would stop living for our ways and live instead for God’s ways. ![]() Jesus submitted to his Father (also seen in Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42, and Matthew 26:39 and 42). Although he suffered and was insulted, he never insulted anyone back or threatened them. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He suffered, but he did not threaten anyone. “‘He never sinned, and he never told a lie.’ People insulted him, but he did not insult them back. Isaiah 53:9 shows another example of how God’s ways are better, in a Messianic prophecy about Jesus which 1 Peter 2:22-24 quotes: Instead, God gave them chances to repent again and again. We would likely give only give other people a second chance at best if they sinned against us. The Israelites and Judeans sinned against God again and again (much like us). We are unfair while God is fair ( Ezekiel 18:25, 29). In contrast, we are flawed and sinful ( Romans 3:23, Mark 7:20-23, Isaiah 64:6, 1 John 1:8). ![]() God is perfect, holy, and sinless ( 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5). God’s ways are higher than ours ( Isaiah 55:9). We can trust God because his ways are not ours. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Yori Hirokawa His ways, unlike our natural ways, are love and mercy. They were punished for their sins but not completely abandoned. Despite their constant and consistent sins and rebellion against God in their past, God would still renew and save the Judeans. Knowing this, the message of Isaiah 55 is powerful. The land itself that they will go to will be happy. Here God is saying that the people of Judah will go out from exile with joy and peace. All this will happen to make the Lord known, to be a permanent reminder of his goodness and power.” Myrtle trees will grow where there were weeds. ![]() Large cypress trees will grow where there were thornbushes. All the trees in the fields will clap their hands. When you come to the mountains and hills, they will begin singing. Isaiah says that the Judeans should come to God because God will freely forgive their sins. Isaiah says that God will comfort them despite their sin. Isaiah tells the Judeans to stop living their evil lives, stop thinking bad thoughts, and come to God again. They should come to our God because he will freely forgive them.” Here Isaiah is saying that it’s not too late. They should come to the Lord again, and he will comfort them. Verse 7 states, “Evil people should stop living evil lives. Furthermore, he tells them to hold on to hope that God will soon save them. In Isaiah 55, Isaiah invites the Judeans to turn to God because he is merciful. ![]()
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