My guess is that all of us at one time or another have asked, “Where are you, God?” It might be due to some global tragedy (the three million children who starve to death each year?) or a personal sorrow (a cancer diagnosis.) At some time or another we all join with Jesus in praying Psalm 22: “My God, why have you abandoned me?” The Prophet Isaiah certainly knew that feeling when he saw the nation conquered and the temple destroyed and the people taken into exile. However, he was given a message of hope. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. We need to take that message to heart. Even when we are feeling bereft, we have the blessed assurance that God will “take us back” and fill us with divine compassion and grace.
