Good morning, dear brothers and sisters.
What a tremendous joy it is to be here with you this morning. I consider it an honor and a privilege to stand before you and share from God’s precious Word. I bring you warm greetings from Finland, where my family and I serve the Lord. Finland, as you may know, is a small country sandwiched between Russia and Sweden — right between East and West. And yet, in this small country, God is moving. We give Him all the glory for what He is doing.
I serve as a mission pastor in Finland at a Pentecostal church, and I have the joy of traveling wherever God opens the doors, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. We also have a weekly radio program, a TV ministry, and an online Bible school that is now reaching over ten countries. Only God can open these doors. I have been privileged to minister in many places — recently in India again — and what a joy it always is to see God’s people hungry for His Word.
I am so blessed to have my family with me — my precious wife, Paula, my son Isaac, and my daughter Lila. They are not just family to me, but they are my partners in ministry. They love the Lord, and together we are serving Him. My sister Neelam is also with us. She works faithfully in missions, often in hard places, among people many might forget — but God never forgets them. All of us are simply servants, walking in the calling God has given us, trusting Him for each step forward.
This morning, I want to share with you a simple, but deeply important truth: “God’s Ways Are Higher.”
This is not just a theological idea. This is something I have learned, experienced, and relearned over and over in my walk with God.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says 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.”
Brothers and sisters, I have come to realize that we all have our ways — our opinions, our expectations, our plans. We often think we know how things should go, how people should behave, how life should unfold. But God reminds us: His ways are not like ours. His thoughts are higher. His plans are wiser. His purposes are eternal.
And yet, even knowing this, how often do we wrestle with God’s ways? How often do we question Him? How often do we try to bring God down to fit into our way of doing things, rather than humbling ourselves to walk in His?
Let me share with you some examples from Scripture where God’s ways clearly challenge our human ways:
1. How we treat others.
Man says: Love those who love you.
God says: Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-48).
This teaching of Jesus is radical. It’s not humanly natural. But it is divine. Our Father makes the sun rise on the good and the evil; He sends rain on the just and the unjust. He calls us to reflect His character, not the world’s.
2. How we deal with offense.
Man says: If someone wrongs me, I’ll get even.
God says: Do not repay evil for evil. Overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
Forgiveness is not weakness; it is strength. God teaches us to leave revenge in His hands. He alone judges righteously.
3. How we respond to others’ success.
Man feels jealousy when others are honored.
God says: Rejoice with those who rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:26).
When others succeed, we celebrate. When others suffer, we share their pain. This is how the body of Christ works.
4. Who deserves the glory.
Man seeks glory for himself.
God says: Not unto us, O Lord, but to Your name be the glory (Psalm 115:1).
The world loves self-promotion, but our purpose is to glorify the Lord in all we do.
5. How we treat people.
Man uses people for his own benefit.
God calls us to serve and empower others (1 Thessalonians 2:5).
True leadership is not manipulation. It’s not control. It’s empowerment, raising others up for the glory of God.
6. How we handle worry.
Man says: I must control everything.
God says: Cast all your cares on Me, for I care for you (1 Peter 5:7).
Worry adds nothing to our lives. Trust in God brings peace.
7. Our attitude towards wealth.
Man says: Get more by any means.
God says: Be content with what you have. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
Wealth itself is not evil — Abraham, Job, and Solomon were wealthy. But it is the love of money, the craving for it above all else, that destroys lives.
I also want to share with you the story of David bringing the Ark of God to Jerusalem. David had a good and godly desire — he wanted to bring the Ark, the symbol of God’s presence, into the heart of the city. But the first time, he did it the wrong way. He followed the world’s method, placing it on a cart like the Philistines had done. That mistake led to tragedy. Uzzah was struck down. The music stopped. The celebration became mourning.
David was confused. He was angry. “Lord, I was doing this for You! Why this tragedy?”
But then David sought God’s Word. He realized: the Ark was never meant to be carried on a cart. It was to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites, as God had commanded.
Friends, even good intentions must follow God’s ways. Zeal without knowledge is dangerous. Religious enthusiasm without obedience leads to disaster.
The second time, David did it right — God’s way. And this time, there was blessing, there was joy, and there was victory.
How often do we, like David, rush ahead, doing what seems right in our own eyes — only to find ourselves facing confusion and hardship? God’s ways may seem slower. They may require humility, patience, submission. But they lead to life.
Moses knew God’s ways. Jesus Himself, in Gethsemane, prayed the ultimate prayer of surrender: “Not My will, but Yours be done.” And because Jesus walked in the Father’s way, He conquered sin, death, and the grave. Today, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that He is Lord!
1 John 2 reminds us: The world is passing away — its lusts, its pride, its temporary glory. But whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Some people say, as they did in Ezekiel’s time, “God’s ways are not fair.” But God answers: “Is it not your ways that are unfair?” He calls us to repent, to turn from sin, and to live. God’s heart is not for judgment but for redemption. He says, “Why should you die? Turn, and live!”
I want to leave you with this beautiful promise from Isaiah 55:10-12:
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void. It shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.”
When we walk in God’s ways, we walk in joy. We walk in peace. His Word will not fail. His promises remain true.
My prayer for you, for myself, for all of us today is this:
“Lord, help me to know Your ways. Help me to walk in them. Give me the humility to surrender my thoughts, my ambitions, my will to You. Teach me Your paths. Show me Your ways. I want to do Your will. I want to walk in obedience, not in assumption. Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Brothers and sisters, when we walk in God’s higher ways, we will find His peace, His joy, and His blessing — not just for this life, but for eternity.
Amen.