The verse in Isaiah 55:9 reads, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” This verse gives us insight into the vast difference between God’s perspective and human perspective. God’s thoughts and ways are on a much higher plane than ours.
Here are a few key things to understand about what God means in Isaiah 55:9:
1. God has infinite wisdom and understanding
As the Creator of the universe, God’s knowledge and wisdom are unlimited. He sees and understands all things perfectly, including the past, present and future. As humans, our knowledge is extremely limited in comparison. Even the wisest person only understands a tiny fraction of all there is to know. So when God says His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, He is affirming that His understanding surpasses ours immeasurably.
Isaiah 40:28 tells us, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” God’s wisdom and knowledge are beyond human comprehension.
2. God operates from an eternal perspective
Human perspective and thinking is restricted by our finite limitations. We can only see and understand things from our limited vantage point in time and space. But God transcends time and space. He sees the end from the beginning. As Psalm 90:2 states, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
From an earthly perspective, events often look disconnected and even chaotic. But God sees how everything fits together perfectly according to His sovereign plan. What may seem inexplicable to us makes complete sense to God because of His eternal viewpoint (Isaiah 46:10).
3. God’s ways are perfect and good
Not only are God’s thoughts higher than ours in terms of wisdom and perspective, but also in moral excellence. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares, “his work is perfect…all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” Everything God thinks, says and does is perfectly holy, righteous and good.
By contrast, our human ways are marred by sin and imperfection. Even our best thoughts fall far short of God’s perfect standards. As Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” What we see as right and good may look very different from God’s higher vantage point. His ways are always higher and better than ours.
4. God’s plans are wiser than ours
Since God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, it also means His plans and purposes are infinitely wiser than ours. He knows exactly what is best in every situation. His way is always the highest way. As humans, we often think we know what is best and what will make us happy. But God says:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares 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)
Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” God’s plans supersede all human planning. His purposes will prevail. Rather than stubbornly clinging to our own plans and ways, we are called to trust in God’s higher plans and submit to His will.
5. We cannot fully comprehend God
Isaiah 55:9 is a humbling reminder that we cannot fully comprehend an infinite God with our finite minds. Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God.” As much as we may try to understand God and His ways, we must admit the limits of human reason. God’s thoughts remain loftier than the highest human thoughts and His ways unfathomable.
In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul wrote:
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
There is much about God we simply cannot grasp this side of heaven. But one day we will fully know and understand in His very presence.
Until then, we walk by faith, trusting His higher thoughts. As Proverbs 3:5-6 exhorts:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
6. We must depend on God’s revelation
While God’s thoughts are far above ours, He has graciously revealed Himself to us through His Word. Through the Bible, we can access God’s mind and way of thinking. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 tells us:
“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”
Through Scripture, we are able to “have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). However, we still see “through a glass dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Full understanding awaits eternity. But God has revealed enough for us to know Him, trust Him and walk in His ways.
Meditating on God’s Word renews our mind and allows His thoughts to become ours (Romans 12:2). As we yield to His truth, we gain greater alignment with the Mind above all minds.
7. God’s ways often look foolish to the world
Since the world’s thinking is so far beneath God’s thoughts, His ways often appear “foolish” from a human perspective. In 1 Corinthians 1:25, Paul wrote:
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
The gospel itself seems foolish and weak to the natural mind. “…we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Salvation through a crucified Savior made no sense. But God’s seeming “foolishness” is supreme wisdom.
Those who elevate human thinking above God’s truth are fools according to Scripture. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds” (Psalm 14:1). True wisdom comes through childlike faith in God’s revelation, not reliance on human reasoning (Matthew 11:25).
8. God uses simple things to confound the wise
The Lord often intentionally chooses things the world considers weak and foolish to accomplish His great purposes. In this way, He confounds those who trust in their own wisdom and strength.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 tells us, “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”
God receives the most glory when He displays His strength through our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). The weak things of the world shame the wise because they showcase God’s surpassing power.
9. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
True wisdom comes not from human reasoning, but fearing and obeying God. Psalm 111:10 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Rather than exalting our limited perspectives, we must humble ourselves and exalt the Lord’s ways as higher.
Proverbs 9:10 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Submitting to God’s truth is the pathway to true knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
10. God’s ways often involve humiliation and suffering
One major way God’s thoughts differ from human thinking is regarding suffering and humiliation. We naturally avoid and despise anything that involves discomfort, pain, indignity and loss. But God often uses suffering to accomplish His purposes.
Jesus Christ himself learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8). Philippians 2:7-8 tells us that Jesus “…humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” The road to victory led through degradation and agony.
Similarly, Scripture tells us God’s servants will suffer for His Name. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Romans 8:17 declares we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him.” Suffering prepares and equips us for greater glory.
From a human perspective, pain seems meaningless. But God uses it for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). His thoughts regarding suffering are higher than ours.
11. Walking in God’s ways requires childlike faith
Since God’s ways are so much higher than ours, following Him requires humility and childlike faith. We must trust His thoughts above our own. This goes against human nature. But Jesus said, “…unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
Children have a simple, dependent faith in their parents. They do not lean on their own understanding but trust those older and wiser than themselves. This is the kind of faith God desires. We must humbly submit our limited minds to His supreme thoughts, trusting His ways above our own.
Proverbs 3:7 warns, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.” As Romans 12:16 advises, “Do not be haughty in your own sight.” The fear of the LORD leads to true wisdom as we surrender to His understanding.
12. We should seek to align our thoughts with God’s
While God’s thoughts are infinitely above ours, the beautiful truth is that He graciously transforms our minds as we submit to Him. By the power of the Holy Spirit, our minds are renewed so that we can know and understand His ways. As 1 Corinthians 2:16 says, “But we have the mind of Christ.”
The more we meditate on God’s Word, the more our thinking aligns with His truth. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” God renews and enlightens our small, childish minds to comprehend and agree with His wise thoughts.
Rather than clinging to our old ways of thinking, we have the privilege of “taking every thought captive” and making it “obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). As our minds are conformed to His, we begin thinking, speaking and acting according to His higher ways.
13. We will never fully grasp God’s thoughts in this life
While Scripture illuminates many divine truths, we will never fully grasp the loftiness of God’s mind until eternity. Like looking through stained glass, we now see dimly and know only in part (1 Corinthians 13:12). Some secrets belong to God alone (Deuteronomy 29:29).
But one glorious day, “…we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Only in glory will we comprehend the majesty of God’s thoughts in full splendor. As Charles Spurgeon said, “The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy…are but the mere babblings of infants when compared with the wisdom of the true God.”
Until then, may God give us childlike faith to trust His thoughts above our own. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:9).