BS’D
It is written in Tehillim (32:7), “You are my shelter. You protect me from trouble…” In spite of our spiritual weakness, Hashem does not abandon us and continues to protect us individually and collectively as a nation.
R’ Noam Elimelech descibes our times, the generation of the footsteps of Mashiach, as saying it will feel as though a long thick rope is dangling from the sky with Hashem ‘holding’ on to one side and Klal Yisrael holding onto the other. Hashem will shake the rope vigorously back and forth. Those who are foolish will let go and fall down saying Hashem obviously doesn’t want us anymore. The wise will hold on with their dear life knowing that Hashem is ‘testing’ His loyal servants.
When is loyalty tested? When the ‘boss’ is not around – not when he is looking over everyone’s shoulder with beady eyes. It’s rough – it’s a tough war – within and without; fighting the enemy within and without. But let us be rest assured, we may think the ‘boss’ is not around – but He is watching and how!
The battle within is between whether we will lose our emuna or fortify it. What will we choose to do? Rationalize in our minds how this cannot be just from a loving Father, c’v, or hold on to what the Torah has stated since Har Sinai: Hashem will NEVER abandon His people.