His Higher Thoughts

I wrote this following devotional for another blog site a few months after discovering that my husband had an incurable and rare neurological disease which eventually took his life. Dear Christian caregiver, I pray the words of Isaiah 55 in the Bible may prove a blessing to you; as they did to me that day:

“Recently my husband was diagnosed with a serious neurological disease. Hence, this has been a very difficult couple of months for us. This along with a number of other events in our lives has made this summer a very stressful summer.

A few days ago I was reading Isaiah 55 again and found some very comforting words. Jesus says to you and me in times of trial and fear, 'Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.' (Isaiah 55:1a) The Lord wants to pour His love and grace on us in abundance. Isaiah goes on to say in Isaiah 55:2-3, 'Why spend money on what is not bread and your labor on what does not satisfy. Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.' The Lord in effect is saying to you and me, 'Why spend your energies and attention on the things of this earth which do not satisfy? Why depend on the resources of this world for your protection and help?'  The Lord goes on to tell us to revel and delight in His blessings. He wants us to do this, because He promises 'the richest of fare.' (Isaiah 55:2b) This is because His covenant with us is everlasting, and His love to us is unconditionally faithful!

My response to the Lord's grace must be to seek Him with all my heart. I must seek Him with a repentant heart and a passionate heart. I must also seek Him with a heart that is submissive to His will and with a heart that trusts Him. I must not question Him as to the reason for the trials in my life. He sees the big picture. I do not.

The Lord says to you and me, 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways. 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) The Lord goes on to say to you and me in Isaiah 55:11b, 'I will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.'

God's purpose will prevail in this world. God's purpose will prevail in my life. God's purpose will prevail in all His people's lives. It is difficult sometimes when going through deep trials to see God's purpose and plan, but His promise to you and me is 'You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace.-----Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers they myrtle will grow.' (Isaiah 55:12-13)”

Dear caregiver, you may not understand why God has allowed the illness or disability of your loved one for whom you are caring. I know it was difficult for me to understand why God allowed my husband's disabling disease. Yet we can trust that God is a God of love. We can trust that He is a God whose thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts and ways. Trust Him, dear caregiver! Passionately seek Him and rely on Him!