Mission Venture Ministries

“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)

God’s ways are higher than our ways because His ways are always part of a bigger plan. We see only a small piece of the puzzle; God sees the finished work. We see a portion of the tapestry; while God is the Weaver at the loom.

When our desire is to live in step with His plan, we can have confidence that, even when bad things happen, God is still in control. He often takes what Satan meant for evil and turns it into good for the salvation of many (Genesis 50:20). God’s priorities are the magnification of His glory and the expansion of His kingdom (Psalm 97:6). When God’s glory and God’s kingdom are our priorities, too, we learn to rejoice that His ways are higher than our ways.

Ephesians 1:11 reminds us that God’s plan has a greater purpose than what we see. “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” When we show God our willingness to trust Him in every situation, we become a part of that greater purpose. And the familiar words in Jeremiah 29:11 bring us a sense of anticipation, when we hear that phrase, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Let us take a look at some examples why God closes doors to advance His cause:

• He closed young Sarah’s womb so He could display His power to the elderly one.
• He shut the palace door on Moses the prince so He could use him to liberate His people.
• He marched Daniel out of Jerusalem so He could use Daniel in Babylon.
• He kept Paul out of Asia so he could speak to Lydia (Acts 16:12-15).
• He placed Paul in prison so that he could talk to the jailer (Acts 16:25-34).
• He’ll stir up a storm to display His power (Luke 8:22–25; Matthew 8:23–27; Mark 4:36–41; John 6:16–21).

Even Jesus knew the challenge when He requested “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). He knew God’s will was for Him to go to the cross so that He cold say yes to us at the gates of heaven.

Yes—when people say “God’s plans are better,” they usually mean His wisdom, timing, and purposes are higher than ours, so what He does is ultimately wiser and better than what we would imagine or choose on our own. God’s thoughts and ways are above human understanding. Isaiah 55:8-9, invites us to trust Him, seek Him, and receive His mercy rather than leaning on our own limited perspective.

A simple way to say it is: God sees the whole story; we only see the moment. It is not that our plans are bad but that God’s plans are superior.

Please never forger that God will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him! (Isaiah 26:3). So remember that your blocked door doesn’t mean God doesn’t love you. Quite the opposite, it is proof that He does. So wait and trust Him and you will be blessed according to His will for you.

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