Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the first and the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it, let him declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any."

In the good times of life, it is easy to believe in and love God. When all is going well, there is no reason to question or doubt the existence or nature of God. When all is well, we take God for granted. Our wellbeing implies that God is for us. When all is right with the world, God is in his heaven and smiles upon us.

It is a different…