The Christmas season brings about many expectations. We have expectations for our holiday travel plans, traditions we will uphold, gifts we will give and receive, and more. The truth about expectations, however, is that we cannot rely on expectations. Sometimes, our expectations are met, and other times, they are not met, and sometimes, our expectations are exceeded. Expectations are not wrong, but they are not always reliable. When thinking about the birth of the Messiah, the Israelites certainly had expectations for the circumstances surrounding His birth. When the time came for His birth, the circumstances were nothing like they expected. They were humble. The circumstances surrounding His birth serve as a reminder to us that God's plans and His ways are often unexpected and different from our own. His plans and expectations are infinitely greater than we could imagine.
We read throughout Scripture that God works in unexpected ways that are often different than our own. One of the places in Scripture that reveals how different and unexpected God's plans are from our own is in Isaiah 55. In this passage of Scripture, God spoke to His people through the prophet Isaiah, saying, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts… and My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (verse 8). God’s plans and His ways are not ours. We are not in control. While the truth that we are not in control may not sound like good news, it is, indeed, good news. You see, God's plans are far greater and better than our own. That is why God continued saying in Isaiah 55, "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts" (verse 9). Not only are God's ways and thoughts different than our own, but they are also better! Because of this, we can trust Him to care and provide for us even when we do not understand.
Maybe you are facing a circumstance that you do not understand today. Maybe life has not turned out the way you planned. Instead of holding on to bitterness or anger, turn to God. Trust Him, His plans, and His timing. He can be trusted to take care of and provide for us. That is why He sent Jesus at just the right time in the humblest, most unexpected circumstances.
Take a few moments to get alone and pray. As you pray, thank God that His plans are different and better than our own. Commit to trusting Him and His plans, and ask Him to help you as you seek to trust Him.
1“Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!
2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food.
3 “Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.
I made him a leader among the nations.
5 You also will command nations you do not know,
and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”
6 Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
7 Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
12 You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”
