I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. - Isaiah 63:7-9
"In all their distress he too was distressed..." What is God like? The weight of one person's misfortune can bring me to tears. That's not even including my own problems. Start multiplying that weight by 8 billion and I wonder how God can afford to spend any time thinking about the difficulties of one person, because that's how heavy it must be "for God so loved the world."
So, does he really care that much? Or must he maintain a certain divine aloofness to not be overwhelmed by the grief in the world? He did not. That's a defensive strategy that we adopt because the neediness of other people can be so draining that we pull back. It is a tactic derived from our limits. But God doesn't draw back. In fact, he got closer. "For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only son..."
When God decides that we are his people-his children-that choice makes all of his subsequent decisions-lifting us up and carrying us-it is not grudging or draining. It is the direct consequence of his choice to love us. I'll take it.
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