There are certain things we never want to hear God say. Verses 13 and 14 are near the top of the list. “Yet you have abandoned me and served other gods. So I will not rescue you anymore. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!”

It is cringeworthy to hear someone indicate he or she has given up on God. It is terrifying to hear God say he has given up on us. 

What would our lives be like if God treated us like we treat him? What if he ignored us the way we ignore him? What if he withdrew his presence and the order, beauty, wonder, and safety he makes possible? What if we lived in a God-free world? What if we experienced hell on earth?

Let’s not run any farther down that rabbit hole. 

Instead, let us lean into the goodness of God. Let us celebrate the love of God. Let us depend on the trustworthiness of God. Let us sing praise for the faithfulness of God. 

I never want to live a God-free moment. I never want to exist in any place he has abandoned. I never want to consider unfettered evil.

I want more of God’s presence, purpose, and provision. I want more of God. I want John 3:30 to describe everything about me. As I recall the words of John the Baptizer, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less,” I summarize them and apply them by responding, “More Jesus, please.”

The old song says, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” If the source and definition of love begins and ends with our Father in Heaven, yes, I want more of him now and always. Anything less is truly terrifying.

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I will seek more of Jesus now and always.

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Our Father, thank you for never leaving us or forsaking us, or withdrawing your presence from us. Thank you for your dependability, your determination to draw us to yourself, your demonstrated love, protection, and provision. Thank you for seeking us and saving us. Amen.