The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
~~ Psalm 34:18 – 20
Broken-heartedness is rampant in humankind. In one way or another, at one time or another, everyone experiences a broken heart… those times when tears flow unconstrained, when sorrow is exhausting to the bones, and when the heart physically feels like it is tearing.
The loss of a loved one in death. The end of a significant relationship. The demise of our health to an incurable sickness or chronic pain. When our spirit is crushed and our broken heart feels weary, the Lord is close and the Lord saves:
- in the painful parting with our loved ones in death, the Lord makes our hope for the new heaven & new earth and the anticipation of reunion so much sweeter.
- in the sorrow of a broken relationship, the Lord gives us deeper eagerness for the moment when all of our tears will be wiped away by Jesus’ hand.
- in chronic physical pain, the Lord gives us ardent desire for the promised bodily redemption.
If your life is heavy and you feel like you cannot bear one more moment, take courage from these words of David from Psalm 34! David was the anointed future king of Israel. David was the man after God’s own heart. But, on the run from king Saul, David at one time had to act like a madman, scribble on doors, drool down his beard, and live in caves. Even so, David’s confession was of the Lord’s nearness, of the Lord’s salvation.
A broken heart keeps us from attaching too intimately to the things of earth. A broken heart attaches us to God Himself.
And it is from that tenderness of heart that we can raise our voices and shout with yearning and confidence, “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!”
Father God, we are brokenhearted. Our sorrow is crushing. We thank you for your nearness in our time of need. Come and save us!
May God hold you through your grief, may you feel Him close, and may He show you His comfort and His glory!