“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
Today I had several conversations with friends who are experiencing significant grief and pain from profound and tragic events in their lives. Those conversations always seem to me to be their own type of Holy ground. Walking with someone in those moments –as they sift through their heartache and fear, anger and dissapointment– is humbling and a privilege. It’s raw. It’s real. In those moments, listening goes much further than canned answers, cheeky cliches, or religious platitudes. However, these moments are not sacred simply because of the vulnerability of those who are suffering, though that IS part of it.
What truly makes it sacred is the abiding presence of the Lord with those who suffer, grieve, and fear. They may not, and often don’t, feel His presence. One can hardly imagine the dawn when you’re in the depth of darkness. I often point them to Psalm 34:18 which says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” That verse assumes that we will experience brokenheartedness and it assumes we will know what it feels like to be crushed in spirit. The Psalmist reminds us that it is in those moments the Lord is close –closer than we think, nearer than we imagine– and working to save.
When Peter stepped out of the boat to walk to Jesus on the water, he became frightened by the wind and waves of the storm. He began to sink into the depths of the sea. Matthew tells us, “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.” (Matthew 14:31). Immediately. The Lord didn’t hesitate. He was there, in the midst of the storm, working to save.
Yes, He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. If that’s you, then I pray this truth will be an anchor for your storm-tossed soul.