Where is the Lord?

The Lord himself saved them… But they rebelled against him and made his Holy Spirit sad. So the Lord became their enemy and fought against them. (verse 10)

Read Isaiah 63:7-14

Isaiah’s portrayal of the relationship of God and Israel is intensely personal and almost shockingly human. It’s a story of love betrayed by unfaithfulness. And then come the questions. Can a broken relationship be restored? Can love endure after betrayal?

Isaiah begins with a formal confession of the mercy and unfailing love of God. This is what I believe God to be, what I need God to be.

There is powerful evidence of this from the past. God acted in grace to save Moses and his people. But then unbelievably they responded to God’s blessing with rejection, rebellion, unfaithfulness.

Then comes a pathetic lament of self pity. Poor me! Why have these horrible things happened to me? What have I done to deserve this? Why have you forsaken me?

There is no answer. Simply an honest expression of what it feels like to live with a God who seems uncaring. In the silence we are drawn from our guilt, shame and self pity back to the beginning of the conversation. The Lord’s love never ceases. Trust him.

Merciful Lord, when I feel alone and abandoned help me remember that in my darkness there is no darkness with you. Amen.

Devotion by Geoff Burger from “Time Out … food for each day” (Australian Church Resources, 2017)

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