“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalms 34:18
Oh, how I have lived this! Brokenhearted, crushed spirit, trauma piled upon tragedy upon grief. There was no way out, no way up. And yet, He was there.
Not a physical presence. Not an audible voice. Yet His presence. Not pushy. Not brash. No wrong words. No awkward hugs. Just peace. A quiet in my soul. Rest for my mind. And ultimately, healing for both.
Painful things happen in life. Someone leaves. The one we love isn’t who they seem. That person we esteemed is not a person of integrity. Death occurs. So many things that can break a heart, and God is close to offer solace and understanding. Isaiah prophesied Jesus as the Man of Sorrows. He experienced the same heart-rending things we do. He knew. He knows.
There is a different kind of sorrow that overtakes us and from which God rescues. That sorrow, the deep grief that comes when we realize our own depravity and the depth of the separation between us and God. God rescues those who have come to the realization all that their sin cost God and the consequences they have experienced and will face. Those who are crushed with sorrow for their sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent about it are those whom God rescues. This is salvation! Being so deep in the pit of despair, the dungeon of our own making, that we can’t possibly get out, only to find that Jesus’ nail-scarred hand is held out to us, just waiting for us to take hold and leave behind the soul-crushing weight of our sin.
Dear one, if your heart is breaking, turn to the One who made you. Listen for His still small voice. Rest in His promises. Realize that sometimes His healing comes in the form of letting people in instead of blocking them out. He says He will be close to you in your sorrow. He will not break that promise. If your spirit is crushed – destroyed – within you because of the things you’ve done, turn to Him. He will not turn you away. He offers pure and complete rescue. Accept it today.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
