God's ways are not our ways

After writing my post on struggles, I received my monthly newsletter from Dr. James Dobson. It just happen to be on why God allows suffering. I wasn't writing about suffering,but this did help to realize God is God. So I wanted to share the scripture and some excerts from the newsletter.

This come from his book When God Doesn't Make Sense.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. Isaiah 45:15

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. Ecclesiastes 11:5

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

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. I Corinthians 2:16

In the above verses Dr. Dobson was stating that he believes sometimes God remains hidden from us in search of answers. Sometimes God is silent and He has the right to be,after all, He is God Almighty.


"Remember too, that the Scripture warns us to 'lean not on your own understanding'. 'Leaning' refers to the panicky demand for answers- throwing faith to the wind if a satisfactory response cannot be produced. It is pressing God to explain Himself- or else! That is where everything starts to unravel." -From Dr. Dobson.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

"My strongest advice is that each of us acknowledge before the crisis occurs, if possible, that our trust in Him must be independent of our understanding. At that point, we would be wise to remember His words 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.' Isaiah 55:9. And our reply should be, 'Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.' Luke 22:42." -From Dr. Dobson


"Throughout our remaining days in this life,therefore,let me urge you not to be discouraged by temporal cares. Accept the circumstances as they are presented to you. Expect periods of hardship to occur,and don't be dismayed when they arrive. 'Lean into pain' when your time to suffer comes around,knowing that God will use the difficulty for His purposes- and , indeed for our own good. The Lord is very near, and He has promised that your temptation will not be greater than you can bear.

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:17-19

Let me leave you with a stanza of the wonderful hymn written by Horatio Spafford in 1873, after his four daughters were lost at sea. He wrote:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, It is well, with my soul. "- From Dr. Dobson

I also found encouragement from my study today. I'm doing A Heart Like His by Beth Moore (it's a devotional journal). I'm going to share it too.

Finding Strength In God

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Colossian 1:10-12

Nothing helps more than fiding strength in our God. We can't count on others to give us the encouragement we really need. We'd better be prepared to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. Others can help and be a source of comfort,but this kind of strength comes only from Him.

The most precious and painful times in our Christian experience are times when we are all alone with God. Such times forge an inseparable bond.

I am convinced that sometimes God purposely stays the encouragement of others so we will learn to find it in Him.

Psalm 28:8
The Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge for His anointed.

The Deeper Question:

How can you learn to find strength in the Lord? What scriptures have spoken to you when you needed His strength? How has God ministered to you?

Father, I need Your strength. Teach me to walk so closely with You that I draw upon Your power every day and for my every need.

-Beth Moore

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. I Samuel 30:6

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20

She used these two verses yesterday,but I saw them appropiate to go along with the above study.

I found both very encouraging and a reminder that God is God. Hope you are blessed by this.