The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18
The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous, those who are in relationship with Jesus Christ and cry out for help. He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Jesus Christ came to save the lost, to set the captives free, and to bind up the brokenhearted:
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. (Isaiah 60:1) This was and is the mission statement of Jesus. He came to set us free from sin and to mend our broken hearts. The world, the enemy, and sometimes we, ourselves, wreak havoc on our hearts. We protect our hearts from hurt and endlessly build fortresses of protection to ensure that our hearts will be safe. Our hearts are the seat of our emotions, the wellspring of life in us that is vulnerable to heartbreak.
King David, pursued by Saul and by his enemies, understood his need for God to save those who are crushed in spirit. He spent years on the run and suffered at the hand of those who were jealous and determined to break him.
Yet the Lord delivered him from his enemies and mended his broken heart. He knew heartbreak firsthand when his own son, Absolom, led a rebellion against him.
Are you crushed in spirit? Is your heart suffering from heartache?
David remembered that when the righteous cry out, the Lord hears them.
He knew this firsthand because it was God who heard his cries and mended his broken heart. The Lord is waiting for you to cry out to Him. His promise is as true today as it was in David’s time. He will protect, renew, and restore your life and you will be like King David and proclaim: My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. (v.28)
Heavenly Father,
My heart is broken and my spirit crushed. I am heavy with the weight of disappointment and I cry out to You. You have promised that You are near to the brokenhearted. Draw near to me, Lord, in my time of pain.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
