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 (ESV)

The more intelligence we gather about our world, the more we know we don’t know.

The same is true for the gap between God’s ways and thoughts and our ways and thoughts. The more we learn about God, the more we know there’s much more to learn. 

And the more we seek Him (Isaiah 55:6) because of His greatness, the more in awe we are of His compassion and mercy (Isaiah 55:7) to accept us as His own.

Look up at the daytime sky and the nighttime stars this week to thank God for His immeasurable power and grace to bridge the distance for us.

Be sure to read Julie’s post here for more thoughts on Isaiah 55:8-9.

To memorize Isaiah 55:9 this week, try these tips:

• Print the words by computer or by hand in the version you want to memorize
• Tape the verse to your bathroom mirror, your car dashboard, above your kitchen sink
• Whenever you see it, repeat it several times until it begins to stick with no peeking
• If you’re memorizing all of Isaiah 55, repeat Isaiah 55:1-8 to yourself first thing in the morning and last thing at night
• Say the verse aloud to yourself; make up a tune to sing it
• Practice using Scripture Typer
• Practice using first letters:
  F a t h a h t t e, s a m w h t y w a m t t y t.

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The more we learn about God, the more we know there’s more to learn (Isa 55:9). http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2OL @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord

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What is something about our outer world that amazes you about our God?

Please share below in the comments and/or on our Facebook Hide His Word page.

Last week we saw in Isaiah 55:7 that our ways can be wicked, our thoughts unrighteous. But God has compassion and He abundantly pardons.

Isaiah 55:8 confirms the difference this week: God thinks differently than we do; He acts differently than we do.

I’m glad He does! Aren’t you?

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

As we memorize Isaiah 55:8 this week, praise God often for thinking and acting so differently than us.

SUGGESTIONS for memorizing Isaiah 55:8:

• Review Isaiah 55:1-7 upon awakening in the morning and before you go to sleep at night
• Post Isaiah 55:8 in prominent places that you’ll see frequently
• Repeat Isaiah 55:8 several times through the day; add it into your recitation as soon as you’re able
• Ask God to reveal how His thoughts and ways differ from yours
• By Thursday or Friday, find a family member or friend to listen to you recite all 8 verses
• Practice using Scripture Typer
• Practice using first letters:
  8  F m t a n y t, n a y w m w, d t L.

Share on Twitter:

“God thinks differently than me. I’m glad; you too? I’m memorizing Isaiah 55:8 @DoNotDepart http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2OJ #HideHisWord”

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Questions:

When have you seen God be more compassionate than man would be? In what ways would you like to think more like God?

Please share below in the comments and/or on our Facebook Hide His Word page.

Whether or not you’ve been memorizing Isaiah 55 with us already, join us for this week’s verse. It’s a great one to keep with you all week.

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.
Isaiah 55:7 (ESV)

Isaiah is not saying, “You’ve messed up, so come home to get your whipping!”

Rather, he does say come back to the Lord so you can feel His compassion and can accept His forgiveness.

It’s a sweet trade-off: give up your foolish ways and be given the Lord’s mercy.

SUGGESTIONS for memorizing Isaiah 55:7:

• As you’re waking up, review Isaiah 55:1-6 in your head (takes only one minute!)
• Post Isaiah 55:7 around your house or work area and read it often
• Try saying the verse aloud as soon as you’re able to whoever will listen
• Meditate on what it means: what attitudes or behaviors do you need to give up? How does forgiveness feel?
• Review frequently throughout the week
• Practice using Scripture Typer
• When you’re back in bed, review all 7 verses in your head
• Practice using first letters:
  7  L t w f h w, a t u m h t; l h r t t L, t h m h c o h, a t o G, f h w a p. S t L w h m b f; c u h w h i n. (ESV)

Share on Twitter:

“He offers us a sweet deal. Memorize Isaiah 55:7 & see. http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2OH @DoNotDepart #HideHisWord”

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Questions:

What harmful habits are you holding on to–selfishness, anger, envy? What keeps you from giving them up? What motivates you to change your ways?

Please share below in the comments and/or on our Facebook Hide His Word page.

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

Remember playing hide-and-seek as a child?

If you were the hider, once you found your spot, you’d sit quietly, passively, doing nothing. But when you were the seeker, you’d actively set out to uncover who you were looking for.

As you meditate on Isaiah 55:6 this week, see yourself as the seeker.

While the Lord is definitely not hiding from you—He’s near and can be found!—He will reward your active participation in calling out for Him.

Today is where He is; this is the moment He’s in. Seek Him now; call upon Him here.

Suggestions for memorizing Isaiah 55:6:

• Look up “seek” and “call” in an English or Hebrew dictionary
• Use a concordance to find other scriptures with “seek” and “call“
• Display Isaiah 55:6 in several places around your house this week
• When you wake up and before you go to sleep, recite Isaiah 55:6 to the Lord
• Once a day recite Isaiah 55:1-5, working extra on verses that are difficult
• Practice using Scripture Typer
• Actually do it–seek the Lord and call upon Him!
• Practice using first letters:
  S t L w h m b f; c u h w h i n.

More information here on memorizing Isaiah 55. Download free resources here.

Share on Twitter:

“This is the moment God is in. Memorize Isaiah 55:6 with us this week @DoNotDepart http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2OE #HideHisWord” – Click here to tweet this

Questions:

In what ways can you actively seek the Lord? Are there times/places you more easily find Him? Please share below in the comments and/or on our Facebook Hide His Word page.

First, we listened. We heard His invitation to come, buy for free, eat, and enjoy (Isaiah 55:1-2).

Now, we see what we are coming to: God. And soul life. And His promise to love us forever (Isaiah 55:3).

Will you memorize with us this week (Feb 3-Feb 9)?

Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
Isaiah 55:3 (ESV)

Suggestions for memorizing Isaiah 55:3:

• Begin each day reciting Isaiah 55:1-2 in your head or out loud
• Pray to receive the message He intends you to hear this week
• Read Isaiah 55:3. What is God asking you to do? What will you receive?
• Read or listen to The Great Invitation by John Piper on Isaiah 55:1-3
• Read through all of Isaiah 55
• Repeat Isaiah 55:3 several times a day, looking for key words and phrases
• Notice what words trip you up and mark them for extra review
• Practice Isaiah 55:1-3 using Scripture Typer
• Say Isaiah 55:1-3 aloud to someone in your home, workplace, or church
• At the end of the day thank God for His lavish gifts to you from Isaiah 55:3
• Practice using first letters:
  I y e, a c t m; h, t y s m l; a I w m w y a e c, m s, s l f D. (Isaiah 55:3 ESV)

LINK-UP REMINDER:
Next Monday, February 10, is our winter link-up for your blog posts on scripture memory and/or Isaiah 55. Start writing now!

More information here on memorizing Isaiah 55. Download free resources here.

What have you learned so far from memorizing Isaiah 55? Please share in the comments and/or on our Facebook memory page.

I invite you to memorize with us this week (Jan 27-Feb 2)!

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
Isaiah 55:2 (ESV)

Do you ever settle for less?
Is your schedule too full of urgent things that you miss out on the important things?
Have you given up on thinking you’ll get the good stuff, and are settling for inferior substitutes instead?

Remember that God desires only the best in our relationship with Him.

This week be encouraged from Isaiah 55:2 to use your resources to their best advantage to receive the riches God wants to give you.

It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
– C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses

Suggestions to help you memorize:

• Review Isaiah 55:1 when you wake up each morning.
• Read Isaiah 55:2 several times. What should he be spending money on? Working for?
• Meditate on how you want to spend your money, energy, and time this week.
• Continue reviewing the new verse several times every day.
• Try reciting Isaiah 55:1-2 together to a family member.
• Read through the rest of Isaiah 55 several times during the week.
• Practice typing Isaiah 55:1-2 using Scripture Typer.
• Pray before you go to sleep to rest well for a productive new day tomorrow.
• Practice using first letters:
  W d y s y m f t w i n b, a y l f t w d n s? L d t m, a e w i g, a d y i r f. (Isaiah 55:2 ESV)

Get more information here on memorizing Isaiah 55. Download free resources here.

What have you learned so far from memorizing Isaiah 55? Please share in the comments and/or on our Facebook memory page.

This week’s memory verse (Jan 20-Jan 26):

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 (ESV)

Where do you go for water when you’re most thirsty? Most of us head to our refrigerator or kitchen sink.

But what about when you thirst spiritually? Where do you go?

As you meditate on and memorize Isaiah 55:1 this week, ask yourself if you’ve been seeking the correct source to satisfy your thirst, and if you’ve been overworking to receive what’s meant to be free.

Suggestions to help you memorize:

• Recite the verse aloud several times, phrase by phrase.
• Reflect on the word come. What does it mean to you?
• Research the context of Isaiah 55, particularly verse 1. Look up cross-references.
• Ask yourself: Who is to come? Where are they to go? What are they to do there?
• Ask God how you can apply this verse to your life this week.
• Take these words with you on a card or your phone. Review them in spare moments.
• Type the verses on your laptop or phone app using Scripture Typer.
• Practice with the first letters of each word:
  C, e w t, c t t w; a h w h n m, c, b a e! C, b w a m w m a w p.

Are you memorizing with us this week? Register to receive our free eNewsletters. Download free resources here.
Please share what you’re learning in the comments and/or on our Facebook memory page.

Do you believe this?

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 55:11

We want to see this work.

And we invite you to join us!

We’ll be memorizing this verse (and twelve more in Isaiah 55) this winter. Focusing on one verse at a time, we’ll spend thirteen weeks meditating on foundational truths about who God is (provider, deliverer, wise, powerful,…) and what He promises us (presence, compassion, forgiveness, joy…).

Beginning January 20 and ending April 20, commit to spending time with Him through one verse per week.

His word won’t return to you empty.

Sign up here this week and download any resources you’d like.

Other questions? More answers are here.

Or leave your question/comment below.

I’ve found that women don’t want to postpone a closer walk with God until they have more time. Women hungry for God need Him today.
– Janet Pope, [amazon_link id=”0802409644″ target=”_blank” ]His Word in My Heart[/amazon_link]

Want a more intimate relationship with the Word in 2014?

Then come memorize His words with us!

While memorizing scripture is no guarantee for a closer walk with the Lord, nor is it a command or a necessity, it is one great way to spend more time with Him.

As we see and say and hear the words over and over, we allow the transforming power of God’s Word to alter our thinking, our behavior, and our very lives.
– Janet Pope

But do you think memorizing a whole chapter would be too hard? Then you might be surprised to hear that memorizing connected verses in a single chapter is often easier than memorizing a random set of disconnected verses.

Beginning January 20 through April 20 (Easter), we’ll dig into Isaiah 55, one verse a week. Start spreading the word.

Registration begins on Monday, January 6. Come by to print your resources for 13 weeks in 13 verses full of beautiful truths and promises from the Word.

Questions or comments?