The High-Ways of God

I am delighted to have Fay Lamb as my guest today. Fay shares an interesting perspective on the "high-ways of God." Enjoy this devotion and be sure and leave Fay a comment!

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways

My ways, saith the LORD. For 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

        I often take long walks around beautiful Lake Junaluska in North Carolina. Many times, as I stroll alongside the rose garden or hike the secluded trail that rises just a bit above the lake, I spend time with the Lord, and I contemplate his path for me as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and the duties I have outside the home: volunteer, editor, writer.

       In the midst of the Book of Isaiah, God talks about His "high ways," and I've often wondered what they mean to me as I fellowship down the paths that He has for us. If God named his "high ways" what would they be?
       Isaiah: 55: 1-2: (Satisfaction Boulevard): Worldly satisfaction is often found in the things that we buy or produce, the things we hold close, but God calls us to satisfaction in Him. "Ho, everyone one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea come buy wine without food and price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." As a wife and a mother, as a grandmother, dissatisfaction with where the Lord has me, is telling God that what He has provided isn't enough. When I walk along Satisfaction Boulevard with God, I can see that everything He has given me is more than enough, and my husband, my children, and my grandchildren are happy when I am not chasing those things not meant for me.
       Isaiah 55: 3 (Security Circle): While my walk around the lake is a short one, I often have to be careful to watch for individuals who appear to be up to no good. So it is with my life. I must watch for everyone and everything that will pull me away from my journey with God. "Incline your ear, and come unto me, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." When we walk with God, we are safe—He is an everlasting harbor.
       Isaiah 55: 4, 6 (The intersections of Surrender Trail and Salvation Lane): When I walk alone by the lake, I often think of God's mercies toward me. How He met me where I was so that I could continue on a journey free from the burdening sin I carried. Instead God handed that burden to His son. "Behold I have given Him [Jesus] for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." The One God has given is Jesus, and because Jesus sacrificed for me, I am able to approach boldly before God's throne and ask God to walk with me in the cool of the day.
       Isaiah 55:7 (Sanctity Court) In the mountains of North Carolina where the picturesque setting changes from moment to moment, season to season, it is easy to understand that with God, each day is a new beginning. No matter what I have done, God is faithful to forgive me if I but ask. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." God calls us to sanctity, to bring our sins before him. Each confession brings us closer to Him, the walk a more enjoyable one, as we let go of our past and move toward the future in his abundant forgiveness.
       Isaiah 55:10-11: (Sharing Way): On my walks I often carry a camera to take in the beauty that God has created before me. From the still waters, to the smallest petal on the most gorgeous rose, to the ducks and geese playing on the lake and on the paths, I marvel at a God who spoke it all into existence. "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." God's Word is powerful, a gift for the ages—a gift that God says will accomplish its purpose of announcing salvation to mankind—the Creator's message to His creation.
       Isaiah 55:12-13 (Singing Street): I can honestly say that I've never broken out in vocal song as I walk around Lake Junaluska, but I have heard the song of nature in the honking of the geese, the lapping of the waters, the rustle of the leaves, and my heart has been lifted in praise to the Maker of us all. "For we shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you in signing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."