The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted
Monday, December 4
The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18
Heartbreak is a universal emotion that transcends various aspects of life. Whether stemming from stress, finances, personal loss, or pain, feelings of betrayal by those we love and care about, or the challenge of navigating the grief associated with a divorce, these experiences often propel us into a state of isolation and loneliness.
In fact, as believers sometimes that’s where we feel like God is far away from us and this passage carries within it so much power, so much truth, such a magnificent message that God is close. It’s a message of proximity that when we’re heartbroken God is close and it’s not a passive presence it’s an act of presence that brings love and peace. In fact, as we enter this season of Advent, a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth, we can find comfort in the words found in Psalm 34:18. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and he rescued those whose spirits are crushed.”
This serves as a reassuring message today, that God is close. In fact, in the very next verse the psalmist says the righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all (Psalm 34:19); it’s a delivering presence. In fact, that’s the message of the incarnation that God is close to us. In fact, Jesus is the physical reality of that spiritual truth; He is God coming close to us in a physical presence.
I know none of us runs headlong into trouble, we would avoid trouble if we could but that’s not the way a relationship with God works. Verse 19 says that we will have trouble and when we do, we ought to take heart in knowing that He is close to us no better yet He dwells in us. God doesn’t always hide us from trouble, but He always delivers us from trouble and that’s good news!
This Advent, let’s open our hearts to the nearness of God, especially in times of brokenness. As we reflect on the promise of a Savior born in Bethlehem, may we find comfort in knowing that Jesus came not just for the joyous but also for the brokenhearted. His arrival represents the embodiment of God’s closeness to humanity in all its fragility.