In all their troubles [affliction, suffering, pain],
he was troubled [afflicted, suffered], too.
He didn't send someone else to help them.
He did it himself, in person.
Out of his own love and pity
he redeemed them.
He rescued them and carried them along
for a long, long time.
(Isaiah 63:9 The Message BIBLE)
Tragedy in Tucson brings us as a nation to the brink of human emotion. It begs the question, "Does God feel our hurt and suffering?" Oh, yes He does. Isaiah 63:9 tells us that God is capable of feeling what we feel. He was afflicted by that which afflicted Israel. God is troubled, afflicted when we are troubled and afflicted.Not only did He feel the suffering of Israel He came personally to assist them. He will come personally to our aid as a nation in our time of tragedy and trouble. He will come personally to those families in Tucson who have suffered the unspeakable. He will come Himself to minister to those who are suffering due to a senseless shooting that has scarred the national landscape.
God, out of His own love and compassion will redeem those who suffer. He Himself will rescue them and carry them along for a very long time. He will still be there long after the public focus has shifted to other things. He will be there ministering to the pain and sense of loss.
