Verses like this one may perplex even longtime believers. How can a loving God hide His face from us, we wonder? But do you see from the passage what is doing the separating? It’s sin. In Romans 1 Paul says that finally God gave over the foolish and ungrateful ones to the sinful desires of their hearts. We think His love can be presumed upon as we go on foolishly denying Him. Our weak idea of love diminishes who God is to us because we can’t understand His fuller, perfect, holy love.
As a parent and grandparent, I have seen that there are times when turning away from a loved one who persists in sin is the most loving thing you can do. Love does not always mean rushing in and meeting every need. A deeper love may mean letting them realize their need. When God’s face is turned away from us, He is showing us a love that drives us back to Him where His long and mighty arms are open wide. And, like a parent whose love goes deeper than a child’s momentary offenses, God’s covenant with us is sure: He will be with us and for us forever.