March 21, 2006	Read Isaiah 41:17
“The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the Lord, will answer them myself; as the God of Israel, I will not forsake them.”
A THIRST FOR FORGIVENESS The people of Israel were oppressed, exiles in a foreign country. They cried out for God’s intervention, and he heard their cries. He had not abandoned them. He would not forsake them but would “open rivers in desolate heights and fountains in the midst of the valleys.” He would deliver them from oppression and restore them to their homeland, which they considered the land of milk and honey.  This remnant of Judah, now held captive in Babylon, had a great thirst. It was not that Babylon lacked water; their desperate thirst was not a physical need. They needed to restore their relationship with God, which they had broken through decades and centuries of ignoring the command: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Once again, as at so many other times, God forgave his people and extended to them the generosity of the spiritual feast. God welcomed them into new relationship with him. We can identify with the Israelites. When we fail to trust God completely and to seek his will, we make other gods for ourselves. These false gods betray us, and the result is brokenness, discord, alienation, and a great thirst to restore communion with the one who has called us by name to his Great Feast.   Gracious God, we will know adversity in our lifetime. Help us remember that we have the promise of your presence to uphold us in all our struggles. Amen. Shari Ryding

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