The context of "Gods ways are not our ways".

“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.

These are beautiful words which we often hear quoted, normally when someone has gone through some sort of tragedy and they are asking, "Why God?". I also hear it used a lot when people try and explain how a loving God could let people go to hell. While the words penned above could probably be quoted to someone struggling with tough questions like those mentioned and still ring true. These verses in the context of Isaiah chapter 55 are actually about Gods goodness and mercy to unrighteous and undeserving people which is kind of the opposite isn't it? They are about the prodigal son who returns home when he has wasted everything that he was given.  Men, much like the older brother in Luke 15, prefer to see retributive justice dished out (except on ourselves and those closest to us), but God prefers to see the broken restored. This is not what some would call "cheap grace". God paid the highest price for our restoration and at the highest personal cost. And we have to recognize that not all prodigals return home. Some don't run out of money, while some will remain with the pigs out of their stubbornness or others out of shame, in the end it makes no difference because they have chosen their lot. But the Father  still patiently watches and waits for them. 

Below is the proper context of "Gods ways are not our ways", note verse 7 directly before it.

Isaiah 55

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.
4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,
A leader and commander for the people.
5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,
And nations who do not know you shall run to you,
Because of the Lord your God,
And the Holy One of Israel;
For He has glorified you.”
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.