The destruction of Jerusalem, the scattering of God's people, and the harsh subjection of the nation to the rule of Babylon may seem like God has abandoned His people. However, we now see that behind and through and within that overwhelming tragedy God is still present to His people.

The Word of comfort is given even to the terribly decimated and impoverished country district of Judah. The Word of comfort now becomes the Word of challenge. They had heard that "the word of our God will stand forever" and that they in their turn should pass the Good News on to their poverty-stricken sisters and brothers back home. The people will learn that, despite all appearances to the contrary, their covenant God is still alive, that God's Word remains 'erect', unlike the flowers that droop and die.

God may for most of the time seem absent from our lives but today we are comforted and assured that God's might is that of tenderness, love and compassion. God's might is His own abiding presence with the poor exiled Israelites, as in picking up the lambs in His arms or searching for the one lost lamb. Though we may think that God is absent, God is always with us - Emmanuel.