Throughout the Old Testament it is clear that God desires and promotes the relationship aspect of his interaction with humanity. He is not aloof. He is not capricious and arbitrary. He is not “unfeeling” and unsympathetic to our plight. He portrays himself as the good shepherd. He encourages dialogue (worship and prayer) and wants to hear from us. He helps us to understand His nature with metaphors like father, husband, rock, shield, mighty one, and even maternal images such as conceiving, giving birth and nursing Israel. Why then do we struggle so in believing that He is with us and will not leave us? Is it easy to “lose” God?
We serve a God who initiated this relationship, who offers us His hand, and once in his grasp holds to us tenaciously. He is there. He is in front of us, behind us, beside us, over and above us, and beneath us. Below are several examples of God’s love and tenacity.
Isaiah 43:1-3 – – “I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord…”
Isaiah 40:11 – – “He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those who have young.”
Isaiah 49:15(b)-16(a) – – “… I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
But what happens when despite God’s presence, his assurance, and his abiding love we feel alienated and alone? In Habakkuk 3:17-19, we have a beautiful painting of just such a time and what our response should be,
“Though the fig tree does no bud
And there are no grapes on the vines,
Though the olive crop fails
And the fields produce no food,
Though there are no sheep in the pen
And no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to go on the heights.”
He is with us. He will not let us go.
