Jesus sympathizes with us in our suffering and walks with us through it.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. —Isaiah 55:8

Isaiah 55:8 is about God’s compassionate heart.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 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 55:6-9

Pursue God.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; —Isaiah 55:6

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord. —Isaiah 55:6-7

God is giving an invitation.

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. —Isaiah 55:1

God delights in extending compassion.

…let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him. —Isaiah 55:7

It’s not what Jesus wants from us. It’s what He wants for us.

He abundantly pardons.

…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. —Ephesians 3:18

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)

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)

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him. —Psalm 103:11

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. —Isaiah 55:12

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. —Isaiah 55:1

In his presence there is fullness of joy and at his right hand are pleasures forevermore. —Psalm 16:11

BIG IDEA

Jesus invites us to experience His lavish and insurmountable compassion and pardon.

Study Guide

NEAR

2020 has been one of the most challenging and disruptive years that many of us have ever experienced. Countless individuals and families are feeling discouraged, frustrated and down and out. If you’re weary and disenchanted, you likely need some specific truths and promises that will help encourage and reorient your current mindset. Through this message series, NEAR, we will investigate and reflect on God’s heart for sinners and sufferers. Don’t miss this opportunity to be encouraged as well as to invite your family and friends to experience God’s heart for them.
Pastor Jay Haugh

Message 3: His Ways Are Not Our Ways
Isaiah 55:8-9
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Big Idea: Jesus invites us to experience His lavish and insurmountable compassion and pardon.

If someone were to ask, “What does God want from you?” how would you respond?

Joy and peace seem to be experientially opposite of heartbreak and frustration. How do you deal with situations that bring about conflicting emotions? Think about a time that contained both/and emotions [ both happy and sad, both angry and excited] and share how you normally respond to those situations.

God desires to pour out compassion upon you. When you think about God how does this idea line up or not line up with how you view him?

How have you experienced God’s lavish and insurmountable compassion and pardon? Share a story of this experience with your group.

How can your group celebrate the lavish compassion of our God? Brainstorm and make a plan for what you can do this week or this month.