Nearness

 Psalm 34:18 ESV

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.


God doesn't promise that our hearts won't get broken. He doesn't guarantee that we won't get crushed in spirit. The psalmist testifies however of God's nearness and salvation in the midst.

For some reason I'm reminded of the hymn lyric 'saved to sin no more'. God doesn't save us so we can carry on business as usual. He can bind up those of us who are broken hearted at our sinfulness.

Brokenheartedness over our sin is the turning point that leads to salvation. If we're spiritually crushed over our wrongdoing, God is able to restore us. 'Blessed are the poor in spirit', Jesus insists, 'for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.'

God doesn't leave us in our brokenheartedness. He doesn't keep us crushed in spirit. He mends what is broken within us, and restores us to a right relationship with him.

'Dear Lord and Father, we're grateful for your nearness and salvation. Please heal our broken hearts, for your glory we pray, amen'.

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