In Psalm 34:18 I read, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (NIV)
Everyone has had their hearts broken in some way, maybe by disappointment, fear, shame, rejection, or ridicule. God cares and He hurts with me.
What was God doing when I was weeping? He was weeping too. In fact, it is in my pain that God is closest to me, whether or not I realize it.
The Bible says in Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (NIV). How does he do this? He saves me by giving me a heart transplant. In fact, it’s his specialty.
It’s as if God says, “For the heart that’s guilty, I’ll give you a heart that’s forgiven. For the heart that’s resentful, I’ll give you a heart that’s full of peace. For the heart that’s anxious, I’ll give you a heart that’s confident. For the heart that’s lonely, I’ll give you a heart full of love. The heart that has been bitter and angry? I’ll give you a heart that is forgiving, loving, and generous instead. Let me do a heart transplant in you. I will set you free.”
Why do I need this freedom? Because, without Christ, I’m enslaved. I’m a slave to the expectations of others. I’m a slave to past memories. I’m a slave to future fears. I’m a slave to current pressure. I’m a slave to the opinions of society, and on and on and on.
But all I have to do is open my heart to Jesus Christ and give him all of it. Like David in Psalm 119:32, I can say to God, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding” (NIV).
My heart may have been broken, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Decide today to stop limiting God! He wants to do so much with my life, more than I can even imagine. Open my heart to God, and let him transplant my heart for his own.
In summary, The Lord is close and saves those who are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. Everyone has had their hearts broken in some way, maybe by disappointment, fear, shame, rejection, or ridicule. God cares and He hurts with us. When we were weeping, He was weeping too. In fact, it is in my pain that God is closest to me, whether or not I realize it. The LORD saves those who are crushed in spirit. He does this by giving me a heart transplant. God says, I will set you free.” Why do I need this freedom? Because, without Christ, I’m enslaved. I’m a slave to the expectations of others. I’m a slave to past memories. I’m a slave to future fears. I’m a slave to current pressure. I’m a slave to the opinions of society, and on and on and on. But, all I have to do is open my heart to Jesus Christ and give him all of it. My heart may have been broken, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. I can decide today to stop limiting God! He wants to do so much with my life, more than I can even imagine. So I will open my heart to God, and let him transplant my heart for his own.
I often wish I could escape troubles. The pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure; or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear me down. Gd promises to be "close to the brokenhearted," to be my source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping me through my problems. When trouble strikes, I shouldn't get frustrated with God. Instead, I need to admit that I need his help and then thank him for being by my side.
Lord, I need you. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can believe in, have faith and to trust you in everything including being the authority for my life, my self-worth and my future. You have my best interests in mind. Help me to remember to turn to you with my broken heart and allow you to perform a transplant. I want to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. I ask you for wisdom and guidance in this and for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, my preparation for a future job role and for leading a small group. I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, amen.
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