God Promises He is Close to the Broken-Hearted

 

Psalms 34:18-20 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.      
 
THIS psalm is David’s response to God’s care for him when he had fled to the enemy Philistine camp to escape King Saul. David’s life was in jeopardy as he was essentially caught between two kings. He escaped death from the Philistines when he feigned insanity. In his experience, David could faithfully promise, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
   Brokenhearted refers to deep despair, nearly to the point of giving up. It is as if your emotions are broken into little pieces. They are crushed, destroyed and torn. David is telling us he was in extreme emotional pain and on the verge of physical destruction. Have you been in such a place?
   The “brokenhearted” reasons are many. Loneliness crushes many people. Unforgiveness can break many families. Deceit can destroy loving relationships. Pride and jealousy tear the fabric of peace in churches and families. Emotional opposition chases you into enemy territory, and you do not know how to protect yourself from its assaults.
   The LORD wants you to know he is your ally to help you wage war against those things that threaten to crush, tear and break you. He wants you to know the LORD protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. This is language symbolizing God’s care for his people. It also is a prophecy of the Father being alongside the Son at the cross. (See Luke 19:34-36)
   David was very grateful that God had kept him physically safe. But we know that millions of faithful Jews and Christians throughout history have been tortured and killed. Has God abandoned some of the brokenhearted? Jesus gave us his assurance in Matthew 10:30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. God is near to you. He knows each detail of your physical body and emotional heart. He is near to draw you close to him when circumstances crush and tear at your heart. He is alongside you to bring you into his holy kingdom.
   Verse 22 says evil will slay the wicked; God condemns your enemies. People’s evil deeds will return to them and destroy them. The Bible tells of the many times God destroyed Israel’s enemies. The church’s history tells us God will always defend his faithful church in the power of Jesus’ resurrection. God is with the brokenhearted whose persecutors tear at their lives. The enemy always believes he will prevail against God’s people. But he will come to his end in physical destruction and eternal torment.
   If you are brokenhearted because of others who assault or reject you, know your Lord Jesus is near you. If you feel trapped in despair or loneliness, stop and assess your place with God. Have you kept him from your life? Are you looking to go your own way while the Lord promises to show you the way? Remember he is near to you: Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”  
   Open the door. Let him be for you the God he promises he is.