The LORD is near to the broken hearted

The second half of this Psalm we were looking at yesterday (34), starts by teaching us the fear of the Lord (verse 11ff). It is summed up perhaps in the phrase “Seek peace and pursue it” (verse 14b). Peace (shalom) with God includes righteousness, doing good and keeping our tongue from evil (verses 13. 14a). But seeking peace and righteousness does not promise us a trouble free life. Quite the opposite for “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (verse 19a).  However,  when “the righteous cry out, the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (verse 17). He repeats it, to be doubly sure we got it “The Lord delivers him out of them all” (the afflictions verse 19b). But it might just take some time, and total deliverance might not even come in the here and now (c.f. Revelation 6:10)!

Jesus tells us “In this world you will have trouble,” and “I have told you these things that you might have peace,” and “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). I sometimes think that one of the best forms of witness we can give in a world that shouts us down, is the way we handle trouble. If it is to be a positive witness, then we must allow the Lord to draw us close when the troubles of the world break our hearts. Sometimes that trouble comes from Christians. In fact I have been more hurt by Christians than others. And part of that,  is that I expected better. I am not saying that I am, or was, without fault, but then neither were they! But the second half of the title verse tells me that He “saves such as have a contrite spirit.” An we need to deal with things in humility!

So putting this together, the witness He wants from us is for us to be in process of learning to fear the Lord, to seek righteousness and peace and to trust that He will in His time deliver us from all our troubles. And we need  to go to Him when the troubles have broken our hearts. And as I said above we may need to wait for this. But so often it is in the waiting,  as we choose to trust,  that we enter the process of being transformed from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Father, nobody said this Christian life was going to be easy, and it's just as well because it it not. We need Your help Lord to be “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Thank You Lord that You are close to the broken hearted. Thank You for Your comfort and Grace,  and we give you praise and glory again this morning Jesus Name Amen