From Isaiah 54:10

For a brief moment I abandoned you,
    but with great compassion I will gather you.
In overflowing wrath for a moment
    I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,
    says the Lord, your Redeemer.
For the mountains may part
    and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you

Verses 7, 8 & 10 from Isaiah 54 gave me hope and solace. Who among us doesn’t feel abandoned when reading about the state of our country and the ever-creeping increase of Coronavirus? However, while reading these verses, I felt God’s wisdom and compassion and slowly began to understand how traveling through adversity can help us be more appreciative of God’s gifts.

I often have trouble with the dark statements in much of the Old Testament, but this reading sheds new light on God’s caring for each of us. Even Jesus felt forsaken as he hung on the cross. Today, however, Jesus is no longer dead. He has been raised up by His Father and highly exalted.

My prayer this Advent season is that our Lord and Savior will have compassion on us and guide our country to become a more concerned and loving people who strive to do God’s work.

        “O Radiant Light: Come and enlighten us.”

Nora Hall