January 18 – Vol. 30 No. 03

He Is More

“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)

Those words sometimes surprise me, but sometimes they do.

When I see and hear the violence and hatred in the world, I think surely the Lord disapproves of it as I do. But He seems to allow it to continue. 

When I go into rants (mainly on the inside) about the cruelty, the selfishness, and pride that exist within the leadership of world powers, I think surely the Lord must have His own times of ranting. He seems to be silent. 

When I observe the selfishness and pride in my own life, I think surely the Lord does not love me. Yet He continues to feed me, satisfy my thirst, clothe me, and allows me to speak for Him.

To say that His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways are higher than my ways, is an enormous understatement. 

When I think I am righteous and holy, He is more virtuous and blessed than I can even dream of. When I feel generous and forgiving, He is even more gracious and forgiving. When I pat myself on the back for being such a good person, His goodness puts me to shame.

There are times when I wish His thoughts and ways could be more like mine. When those egotistical thoughts pass, I thank Him for being the God He is, and for loving this frail, broken man that I am. 

Thank You, Lord, in this moment of quiet reflection, for reminding me of who You are and for loving me as one of Your children. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved