God’s Promise and Scripture

God’s Promise: He is close to the brokenhearted..

Scripture: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 NIV)

Devotional

Sitting in my dad’s lap in our living room chair as a young boy, my dad read me a Bible story that captivated me with the love of Jesus. That very night, my dad led me in prayer where I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, giving my life to Him. Growing up in a Christian home, my family was far from perfect. It eventually became a home of chaos and deep relational struggle which eventually led to divorce. Living between homes and seeing my parents go through financial and emotional pain, I remember experiencing heartache and loneliness. 

Even though I continued to attend church camps and Sunday services, I found myself running away from home and chasing the world as a young teenager. I later experienced brokenness through failed relationships, unsatisfied desires, and attempting to find happiness in the wrong places. I was in an endless cycle of chasing the world and temporary satisfaction, leaving me utterly empty. I remember asking, “God…where are You?” In that moment, I remember walking into my closet, getting on my knees, and praying to the Lord to heal and comfort me.  Opening my Bible, I landed on a passage and verse that changed my life forever, Psalm 51:17a - “A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” I realized immediately God was with me in my pain and failure. He drew close to me in that moment, and I felt a sudden warmth and peace that didn’t make sense. From that moment, I knew I couldn’t do life without Him. I needed Jesus every day and in every moment.

A well-known hymn sings: 

“I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord; 

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford. 

I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee! 

Bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee”

You may be experiencing heartache today, whether it’s from failures of relationships, the longing for a child, an illness, a tiresome job, a difficult marriage, walking in loneliness, or the departure of a loved one. Our God hears our cry to Him.

Psalm 34: 17-18 says “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

As we experience heartache, God may not necessarily remove our struggles, but His presence is known within them. Psalm 23:4 reminds us that “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…You are with me.” This is an assurance that God is with us no matter our circumstances. Even through our pain and brokenness, God gives us an invitation to deeper dependence on Him. This allows our state of weakness to create space for God’s power to work as we persistently draw near to Him. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness’…so that Christ’s power may rest on me…for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

If you feel hopeless, hold onto Christ. Seek His face and His presence; He will hold you and carry you. 

Prayer: Lord, hear my cry and rescue me. I need Your presence. Draw near to me. I give You my thoughts and my burdens. As I navigate fear and brokenness, remind me of Your faithfulness. I need You. Cover me with Your grace and strength. Amen.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. In what ways has God brought comfort to you in the past?

2. How does knowing that Jesus experienced sorrow help you feel understood by Him? (Isaiah 53:3)

3. How can you become more aware of God’s presence instead of focusing on your pain?