God’s word to us is always one of hope. It is a message of “Do not fear” but keep trusting in the goodness and grace of God. It is a message of love and acceptance in spite of the waywardness of one’s past. Truly God is our ‘Good Shepherd’ who has revealed himself in the Good Shepherd of Galilee (Joh 10). It is this message of comfort and acceptance that the prophet Isaiah extends to the people of exile (of any age) – a true message of homecoming and love.
