Kingdom IQ

S - Isaiah 55:7-9 (NIV): "Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. "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."

O - Verses 8 and 9 are well known and often quoted/referenced.  What is just about as frequently missed is the context in which they are set.  The context is not simply a statement of God's awesome and lofty brilliance.  It is the revelation of his heart toward sinners.  While the Lord's prowess is real and true in any context it is equally true that his brilliance is really not like us or our earth.  He will humbly serve any who will come to him … he will have mercy and he will freely pardon.  Humans (culture/religion) have limited tolerance and conditional acceptance.  And is this not the point?  We are called to his thoughts and his ways and we need to start where he does with all people.  This is how Jesus lived among us; the friend of sinners and therefore the friend of us all.

A - I can't say how many times I've reference the reality of God's brilliance and lofty ways.  I can say that I think this is the first time I've seen or noticed the context.  I've been living this reality out since my 17th year and this is exactly where he started with me. I have been amazed ever since.  Before I lean into his brilliance he wants me to review, rehearse and recalibrate according to his starting place and the favored expression of his brilliance … he really does start at love, lead with mercy and then face the facts in a brilliant and holy (not like me not like this earth) way.  As one who considers himself to be a friend of Jesus I need to be friends with his friends.

P - Lord who is,

Thank you for wanting us and wanting all.  Thank you for expressing your brilliance according to tender mercy and relentless love.  Thank you for loving us where we are and loving us no matter what.  Lord, today you have presented me an opportunity to fulfill my primary assignment as a human being and especially as a disciple - to love. Lord, let this be the way I take today and every day.  Let/cause your life to come into me and your life to come out of me.

I love you back,

Steve