Why has God abandoned us?

I don't believe that God has abandoned us. I believe that humankind has abandoned God. Consider that right from the very beginning God made human beings free moral agents. We are not automatons, pre-programmed, with no say in the thoughts and actions we have and take. We have the freedom to choose right or wrong and reap the consequences of our choices and actions.

Now, I'm assuming that you believe that God has abandoned us because of the horrific events, tragedies, war, and the like that is now consuming the world more than ever. There is no denying this is true. There is no denying that people are hurting and suffering.

Nonetheless, God is letting human beings make the above-mentioned choices and learn from them. Life on earth is, in essence, a classroom, where God is letting us experience life based on how we choose. We then must learn from the effects of our choices. I believe God is working with all human beings to hopefully bring all, ultimately, to a wonderful state - the utopia human beings yearn for.

Consider what the Bible says:

"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

(Deuteronomy 30:19 - New International Version (NIV))

Is it God who has abandoned us when we choose to commit adultery? Is it God who abandons us when we engage in road rage and cause an accident?

Is is God who abandons us when immoral governments siphon off international aid into their coffers instead of giving the money and the food and medicine it can buy to their needy citizens? Is it God who abandons us when we steal or rape?

Yes, tragedies do happen and happen even when we make no wrong decisions. That is the chance we take as we live our lives. This is even alluded to in the Bible:

"I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all."

(Ecclesiastes 9:11 - NIV)

God is working out a great purpose here below, I believe. And I certainly believe that God makes all things eventually work out for good to those who love Him. Sir Winston Churchill spoke of God working in humankind's lives - that great purpose - he said, "...he must indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that some great purpose and design is being worked out here below" [Sir Winston Churchill to the US Congress, 1941] - in sidebar of third link posted below here.

In conclusion, each of us must consider our choices. If you believe in God and the inspiration of the Bible, then you must weigh your choices against what God says is righteous behavior in His Bible. Then adjust your thoughts and actions as necessary to reap the benefits God promises now and in the future life for right behavior. Then you are not abandoning God -  as He never abandons humankind.