“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.” Psalm 34:18-19 (NIV)
Since my great-grandmother Rena lived into her 90s, I was able to get to know her when I was a girl. The person I remember was a strong woman of faith who often encouraged me. We would sit at her kitchen table drinking white grape juice and eating vanilla wafers. But unlike the casual cups and plates I used at home, Great Grandma served our snacks in the most intricately designed cut glassware I’d ever seen. Sunlight sometimes shone on that glass in just the right way to reflect colors from the light, contrasting with the black clothes Great Grandma always wore. I wondered why she never wore any other color except black, but I didn’t ask her. Now, years later, I know.
Recently, I asked some family members why my sunny Great Grandma always dressed in black. It was to show that she was in mourning, they told me. I was shocked to discover just how much grief Great Grandma had endured. While I knew as a child that her son – my grandfather Jim – had passed away in his 30s, I learned that she had also suffered through the deaths of a young daughter and a young husband. Plus, she lived through a lot of other types of suffering, seeing some of her cherished dreams die, as well. Great Grandma’s heart was broken over and over again. Yet she didn’t give into despair. Just as her glass cups and plates reflected sunlight, Great Grandma let God’s light shine through her in the darkness of this broken world.
Life can be incredibly hard at times. We all experience seasons of painful loss. Whether it’s the heartbreak of losing a cherished relationship, the crushing weight of failing to achieve a cherished goal, or some other kind of tragedy, our hearts can feel shattered into many pieces.
Psalm 34:18-19 points out that God is close to us during these times of deep sadness. When our hearts are broken, we can feel incredibly isolated and alone. The darkness of our suffering can obscure our vision, making it seem like there is no one who understands or cares. But this verse reminds us that God is not distant or detached from our pain. God draws near to us in our brokenness. He is intimately aware of our struggles and sorrows. In fact, his heart aches for us. God feels our pain when we are feeling devastated.
But he doesn’t stop there. God actively engages with our brokenness to bring us hope and healing. Our loving Heavenly Father steps into our heartbroken devastation with a promise of rescue. God helps us in many ways – from responding to our prayers by giving us perfect peace in challenging circumstances to leading friends to comfort and encourage us in the ways that are most helpful.
The Psalm continues by acknowledging that even righteous people will have many troubles. We live in a fallen world. Following God doesn’t exempt us from hardship. In fact, it’s often through these very troubles that our faith is deepened. However, God will deliver us from them all. This doesn’t mean that our troubles will vanish instantly but that God will give us the encouragement and strength we need to manage any troubles we face. God’s deliverance may not always look like what we expect. Sometimes it’s the removal of a burden, and other times it’s the grace to carry it. In every circumstance, God’s deliverance is perfectly tailored to our needs. He knows the best way to bring us through heartbreaking situations, and his timing is perfect.
God has a proven track record of being close to the brokenhearted and saving those who are crushed in spirit. His deliverance is a promise we can rely on during any difficult times.
Let’s pray:
Dear God, my heart feels broken and crushed by the weight of my sorrows. Your Word promises that you are close to the brokenhearted, and I cling to that truth today. Thank you for your comforting presence that surrounds me even when I feel most alone. Lord, save me in my crushed spirit. Lift me from the depths of my despair and breathe new hope into my soul. I trust in your promise of deliverance. Although I face many troubles, I believe that you will carry me through each one. Please give me the strength, wisdom, and peace I need to rest in your unfailing love. Help me place my hope in your faithfulness with the confidence that you will always be with me, helping me. Remind me that my heartbroken feelings don’t change the reality of your closeness and care. I put my trust in you, and I wait with hope for your deliverance. Thank you, my loving God. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Tiziana Nanni
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
Originally published Monday, 29 July 2024.
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