Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, / And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

February 9th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

We believe that God is drawn to the brokenhearted because they have learned the difference between what is genuine and what is counterfeit. It is sometimes amazing just how efficiently a broken heart can push aside the unimportant and concentrate on the critical. For example, the wife in the surgical waiting room isn’t focusing on her husband’s annoying habits. She doesn’t care about the fact that he snores at night or that he won’t wear the right colored socks she wants him to. She isn’t concerned about the fact that he is forgetful. All she really cares about, all she is praying is “Please Lord, get him through the surgery; let the operation be a success.” As she weeps in her broken-heartedness, what is really important comes into focus.

This application points us to one of the painful ways God develops us into authentic believers. When we allow God to break our hearts, He is then able to show us what’s really important in life. God is close at hand to the brokenhearted because they have discovered what’s really important in life. He will then use us because we have become better sharpened instruments of healing in His hands.

“Use us this day, LORD, to be Your hands and feet in the lives of others.”

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Psalms 34 KJV

¹ I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shallcontinually be in my mouth. 

² My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof , and be glad.

³ O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

⁵ They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 

⁶ This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him , and saved him out of all his troubles.

⁷ The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

⁸ O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed isthe man that trusteth in him.

⁹ O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

¹⁰ The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing 

¹¹ Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

¹² What man is he that desireth life, and loveth manydays, that he may see good?

¹³ Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

¹⁴ Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

¹⁶ The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

¹⁸ The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

²⁰ He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

²¹ Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 

²² The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.