Lent Devotional: RestoreSample

Restore: God is restoring my heart

At the heart of compassion is closeness. This verse doesn’t say that God will instantly heal the broken-hearted, it says that he is close to them.

There are some things that, no matter how much we want them to, won’t heal this side of eternity. But we have the guarantee that, right in the middle of those hurts, God draws near. And in the fire of those pains he holds and hears us.

In a world so full of hurts, God’s promise to us can also be a model for us. As God’s people, we are called to compassion, to come close to those in pain; whether that be a family member or a stranger. The human soul cries out for kindness – each tender touch and kind word connects us to the healing power of heaven.

Dear God,
Thank you that you hear my cries,
Thank you that you draw close to the broken-hearted.
Lord, I lift up to you people I know that are hurting,
Please be with them, holding them, comforting them.
Restore my heart and theirs with your closeness,
Draw near to the world, Father,
And restore the heart of our society.
Amen.

Gideon Heugh, Tearfund