His Ways are Higher than Ours

  “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. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:8-11

Many times over the past several weeks, this verse has given me comfort and confidence as we continued to work in Nearar. The days on the mountain, though they have been few, have been spiritually and physically taxing for our team. The need for the gospel in Nearar is great, but the hearts of the people seem to be hardened to the truth, and we’ve even had difficulty with being welcomed into their homes. It seems that they know that we are different–and there is a reason that goes beyond skin color. It has been a challenge for our team to remain positive and motivated to work in such a difficult place, but as we finished our final day in Nearar, I can confidently say that we ran that race with endurance and persevered until the very end. I am so proud to be a part of this team because we have gone boldly in the power of the Spirit and proclaimed the gospel to many who have never heard.

We can be confident that our work has not been in vain because of the promise of Isaiah 55. Just as the rain has covered the mountains lately and caused the plants to flourish, God’s word will fall among the hearts of the people of Nearar, and we will trust that it will accomplish His purpose. Although we’ve not seen much fruit from our labor, we know, just as the verse says, that His ways are higher than ours.

Today our team revisited a few houses and played with several children at the small church in Nearar. We had planned to have a bible study, but it turned into a time for the guys to encourage some of the believers that live near the church. Our team prayed over them and over the children, and I think its safe to say that leaving Nearar today was very bittersweet. Even though there have been challenges, we know that the Lord is working, and we feel privileged to have been given the chance to be a small part of what he is doing.

Continue to pray for these people–pray that they might know the truth of the gospel and that their hearts would be softened to those who bring it. Also, please continue to pray for our team as we finish our final week here. Pray for patience, wisdom, energy, and boldness as we go.

Jenna