Daily Devotional – Tuesday, April 4, 2023
For a mere moment, I have forsaken you, but with great mercies, I will gather you.
Isaiah 54:7 (NKJV)
As part of a ritual of transition from childhood to manhood, a young man was sent into a forest, alone, at night. It was a scary, rainy, dark night. Occasionally, lightning and thunder punctuated the darkness. The young man trudged on, determined to reach the edge of the forest.
Does My Father Care?
Throughout the night, the lad struggled against sleep, wild animals, harsh weather and exhaustion, among other formidable challenges. Ever worse were the thoughts in his mind. Why had his father abandoned him? Did he not care about the life and safety and of his son? Was this hardship even necessary?
Finally, as the day began to break, he arrived at his destination. Just as he sat on a rock to wait for the team from the village to come and witness his triumph, he saw a shadow emerge behind him. As he turned, spear in hand, to attack the enemy, he realized it was his father. The old man had followed his son from start to finish, ready to save the boy in case of any risks.
Where is God?
Similarly, when God allowed Judah to go into exile in Babylon, many Jews must have wondered why their loving God was being so harsh. God appeared to have hidden his face. If He was a loving and forgiving God as He claimed, where was He when heathen Babylonians were oppressing His children?
God had a noble purpose in allowing His wayward people to become slaves and subjects of Nebuchadnezzar. The Jews were undergoing a refining process that would usher in a faithful remnant that would represent God with fidelity. Their suffering would not be in vain if they repented and reformed.
For a Mere Moment I Have Forsaken You
Through prophet Isaiah, God delivered a special message, “For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you.” (Isaiah 54:7). In essence, for this brief period of seventy years, I will allow you to suffer that you might learn to obey my decrees. However, I will repay the faithful among you with abundant mercies and blessings.
Just as He did with the rebellious Israelites, God sometimes withdraws His favour and help from us because of cherished sin. In the process, even the innocent suffer. Those ‘brief’ moments, when we cannot see God’s face, should be for reflection, repentance and reformation. Thankfully, the pain will be short-lived but God’s restoration and abundant love will overshadow our suffering.
Why Does God Hide His Face?
Then we will realize, like the young man trudging the lonely night alone, that God did not really desert us. He was walking right behind us. The Holy Spirit was working in us to produce fruits of repentance, perseverance and faith. In our difficult Babylon moments, our loving Father only hid His face from us but was with us all along.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, in moments when You hide Your face from me because of my sin, lead me to repentance and let me know You never really deserted me.
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