God says His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). And a very easy way to appreciate this statement and truth is to look, for example, at the way that God’s view of “a king” is entirely different from man’s.

     For in God’s eyes, a king is not a title or a position of "lording" over others. But a role reserved for those who, in spirit and in truth, will best live and walk the second greatest commandment of all. Namely, to "love one's neighbour as oneself.” For a king, in God's eyes, is a master servant.

     Which is completely contrary to the thoughts and ways of man. For the thoughts and ways of man show and teach that the higher one rises up the ladder of position, that the less of a servant one becomes. Which, by definition, then logically also means, the more removed and alienated you position yourself from all those about you.

     So then, according to the thoughts and ways of man, if as a king you are removed and alienated from everyone, how is that you will then also be a master servant? Does the nature of a master servant not require great closeness and intimacy, such as the love of a friend? For is a friend removed and alienated? Is this not what God had in mind when He declared: “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”? Proverbs 18:24.

     In comparison, as the King of all kings, is God in any way alienated and removed from any one of us? Even remotely? Does He not know every last detail of our lives better than anyone else, even our spouse, parent or best friend? Does He not hold close to His heart every sigh that no one else hears? Does He not keep watch over our weeping? Does He not gather up all our tears and put them in His bottle?(Psalm 56:8). Does He not know the number of the hairs on each of our heads? (Luke 12:7).

     For is it not written that when Hagar lifted up her voice in the wilderness of Beersheba, that God drew near? (Genesis 21:17). And that when Hannah wept outside the temple of the Lord, that God noticed and remembered? (1 Samuel 1:10, 17). For what king of the ways of man draws near when another cries? And what king of the ways of man notices his people weeping, and remembers? For the thoughts and ways of man show that, as a king, everyone is there to serve you. Not the other way around. Which makes a king after the thoughts and ways of man a “servant master”, not a “master servant”.

     But God sees the position of a king very differently to the way a man thinks of a king. A king, in God’s eyes, has more accountability than any other, and more responsibility too than any other. For is true love ever idle? Does love ever sleep? And in God’s thoughts and ways, is either a king, or love, ever idle? For how can a master servant still be a master servant if he is in any way idle? Is this not what God was referring to when He said: “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36.

     For we all have a King who is so mindful of all unto whom He is closer than even a brother, that He safeguards and cherishes every sigh that no one else hears in golden bowls before His throne. Which are the prayers we speak in secret that no one else hears. The cries in the dark, like those of Hagar and Hannah. Which means He has them constantly before Him, so that He can constantly revisit them, again and again. For what king after the thoughts and ways of man regards the tears of one in the wilderness as a sweet smelling fragrance unto his nostrils? For what king values the tears of his subjects so highly, that he places them in gold bowls?

     For is our King not the King who said unto king Hezekiah: “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears”? (2 Kings 20:5). And as our King, has He not promised that to all who mourn in Israel, that He will give a crown of beauty for ashes? And the oil of joy for mourning? And a garment of praise for a spirit of despair? (Isaiah 61:3).

     For so different are His thoughts and His ways from man, that we have this blessed assurance from the lips of our King of kings. That He will wipe away EVERY tear from our eyes. And death shall be no more. That there will be no more mourning, or crying, or pain, ANYMORE. For the former things have all passed away. (Revelation 21:4).