"O that you would tear open the heavens and come down . . ."

Scripture

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down . . . (Isaiah 64:1a)

Reflection

What a far-cry from Isaiah 40, where our prophet sings, “Comfort, comfort my people . . .” in anticipation of the return of the exiles from Babylon to their beloved homeland. The prophet of chapter 64 is impatient. The long longed-for return has not gone as hoped. The old city and its temple are still lying in ruins. Other people have settled the lands that had been theirs and their parents’ and grandparents’. The task of rebuilding seems monumental. The prophet cries to God in desperation and frustration, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down . . .” 

Where is God when things don’t go as expected or as hoped? The prophet’s cry is also ours.

We begin our season of Advent longing for God.

Prayer

Longed-for God, Tear open the heavens and come down! Amen.