WE live in a world that worships "the hustle." From a young age, we are taught that success is the direct result of our own strategic planning, our grit, and our intellectual superiority. We map out our lives with precision, yet we often find ourselves hitting walls that no amount of human effort can scale.
When we encounter these walls, the frustration stems from a fundamental disconnect described in Isaiah 55:8: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
This isn't just a poetic sentiment; it is a spiritual law. It suggests that there is a frequency of wisdom operating above our own. When we try to solve "Kingdom-sized" problems with "Earth-bound" logic, we don't just fail—we often make the situation more damaging.
The Moses Complex: From Murderer to Midian
The life of Moses serves as a vivid case study in the difference between human "schemes" and divine "strategy."
As a young man in Egypt, Moses felt the stirring of his calling. He knew he was meant to be a deliverer. However, he attempted to fulfill a God-given destiny using man-made methods. When he saw an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew, he took matters into his own hands and committed murder.
The result of Moses’ wisdom:
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Fear: He had to flee for his life.
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Stagnation: He spent forty years in the wilderness of Midian.
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Isolation: He went from a prince of Egypt to a lonely shepherd.
Many of us are in our own "Midian" right now. We took a shortcut, tried to force a door open, or manipulated a situation to get our way, only to find ourselves further from the goal than when we started. We cling to our ways because they feel faster, but as Moses learned, God’s "slow" way is actually the only way that leads to lasting freedom.
The Power of the Staff: Submitting to God’s Strategy
Forty years later, God called Moses again. This time, the strategy looked foolish to the natural eye. God didn't send Moses back with a mercenary army or a political lobby. He sent him with his brother, Aaron, and a wooden staff.
1. The Weapon of Obedience
In the world’s eyes, a staff is a stick. In God’s hands, a staff is an instrument that can turn rivers to blood and split the Red Sea. The difference wasn't the wood; it was the obedience. When Moses stopped trying to be the "hero" and started being the "servant," the power of God was unleashed.
2. The Absence of Chariots
The text notes that Moses freed millions without a single chariot or horse. This defies military logic. It reminds us that God often strips away our external crutches—our bank accounts, our connections, our "Plan Bs"—so that His glory can be seen clearly. When you have nothing but God's word, you discover that God's word is enough.
What are You Clinging To?
The more we cling to our thoughts over God’s, the longer we remain in our current struggle. Clinging is a sign of a lack of trust. We hold on to our worries because we think our "worrying" is a form of control. We hold on to our bitterness because we think it protects us.
God is asking you today: What ways are you ready to give up?
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Are you giving up the "way" of manipulation to get a promotion?
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Are you giving up the "way" of shouting to be heard in your marriage?
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Are you giving up the "way" of anxiety as a means of "preparing" for the future?
God’s instructions are often counter-intuitive. He says to give to receive, to serve to lead, and to surrender to win. These are the "higher ways" that lead to "excellent solutions."
The Spiritual Mechanics of "Higher Ways"
Why are God's ways better? It comes down to perspective. Imagine a person standing in the middle of a parade. They can only see what is directly in front of them and what has just passed. Now, imagine someone in a helicopter hovering above the city. They see the start of the parade, the end of the parade, and the traffic jam three blocks away.
God is the pilot of the helicopter. He sees the "traffic jams" of your life ten years into the future. When He tells you "No" or "Wait," it isn't a denial; it’s a redirection based on a view you don't yet have.
Steps to Aligning with Divine Wisdom
If you find yourself weary from trying to "figure it out," here is a roadmap to returning to God’s path:
1. The Prayer of Repentance
The first step is acknowledging that your "wisdom" hasn't worked. Ask God for forgiveness for choosing your logic over His leading. This isn't about shame; it's about clearing the communication lines.
2. The Presentation of the Situation
Lay your specific challenge—be it financial, relational, or emotional—before Him. Instead of telling God how to fix it, ask Him to instruct you. Say, "Lord, show me Your way to handle this."
3. Execution Through Faith
Once you receive an instruction (through Scripture, prayer, or godly counsel), you must execute it. Obedience is the bridge between a promise and a miracle. Even if the instruction seems small—like Moses picking up a staff—do it with excellence.
4. Continuous Worship
Worship shifts your focus from the size of your mountain to the size of your God. When we praise God for His "higher ways" before we see the result, we are exercising the kind of faith that moves heaven.
Will You Trust Him?
God has excellent solutions in store for you that you haven't even dreamed of yet. The Exodus didn't happen because Moses was the smartest man in Egypt; it happened because he was the most submissive to the Great I AM.
Your struggle might be a "Midian" season intended to break your reliance on yourself. Don't waste the wilderness. Let go of your schemes, drop your "wisdom" at the altar, and watch how God can deliver you with nothing more than a "staff" and a "word."
Believe Him. Obey Him. Trust Him. His ways never lead to a dead end; they only lead to the Promised Land.
Reflection & Action
🎯 Ask: God to forgive you for choosing your thoughts and ways above His.
🎯 Present: Your situation to God and ask Him to instruct you in His ways, then obey and execute.
🎯 Worship: And praise God for His thoughts and ways that are higher than yours.
Amen.