How God Expresses His Love for UsSample

The Comforter of the Brokenhearted

God’s Story

Psalm 31: Enemies are conspiring to take David’s life. He begs God to deliver him, knowing that God has stored up good things in abundance for the people who trust in him.

Psalm 32: For a while David didn’t confess his sin to God, so God’s heavy hand of conviction rested on him. But now David confesses and sings a song about the goodness of God’s forgiveness.

Psalm 33: An unknown author composes a declaration song: Trust in the Lord. God reigns over the world with love, has his eyes on every person and delivers those who trust in him.

Psalm 34: “Taste and see how good God is!” David proclaims. God is the Protector of the righteous.

Psalm 35: David needs the Warrior King. His enemies are too strong for him. He asks God to ensnare them in the same traps they’ve set for him.

Psalm 36: God’s unfailing love is priceless. The psalmist has experienced the feast at God’s house and has drunk of his “river of delights.” The fountain of life springs from the Lord.

The King’s Heart

Hardship has a way of making people run. Pain is uncomfortable, awkward. It’s a reminder of our powerlessness.

But “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). God dwells in the pristine perfection of heaven where life is constant, abundant joy. He has no need to burden himself with our hurts. Yet in our heartaches, God draws near. It is what he chooses to do.

God is working for good in whatever we’re facing. But even though he’s aware of that reality, he doesn’t minimize or devalue our pain. He comes close. He stands with us in the midst of it. For many heartaches, drawing near is the act of deepest comfort.

The One who thoroughly knows how good life is supposed to be really, truly understands our grief. He, more than anyone, knows how far things have fallen. The comfort that he offers in his closeness comes from a heart that understands — far more completely than we do.

If you’re hurting, if the world has stepped on your soul, hear the words of the God who loves you: I’m here.”

Insight

Hebrew writers often used a literary technique where they put the most important content of the psalm in the center. In Psalm 34:8 – 14, David focuses on God’s goodness (verse 8), explaining that people who follow his good ways (verses 13 – 14) will live many good days (verse 12). God wants us to live in his goodness. That is his intention.