Pray first, then act

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

It's a point that, though it seems obvious, needs to be made from time to time: we are not God. We may think we know all about God and we may think we can judge for ourselves what His thoughts are, but in reality we have no authority to judge such things. It isn't enough to say that God's ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are higher than ours because "higher" just doesn't give a clear picture of how exponentially greater God is than us.

When we start to make decisions based on what we think is right, without consulting the Lord, we take a dangerous step toward being outside His will. Making assumptions as to God's thoughts based on what we know is arrogant at best. Prayer is not meant to be a last resort when all else fails. If God's Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105) then it must go before us. It cannot light the way from behind.


We must never assume that we know God's will. We must always go to Him first and ask in which direction He wants us to move. Many times we will be surprised to find that what we thought was right is not His answer. Our God is not a god who can be figured out. And if He was, He would not be a God worth serving.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.