When you’re broken-hearted

John Morley

Christian Surfers Cape Town

Psalm 34:17–18

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I have such a vivid emotional connection with this Psalm. When I was going through one of the heaviest seasons of my life, I experienced Jesus speaking directly to me through these words of His.

Like King David when he wrote this amazing song, I was broken-hearted and crushed in spirit – so much so that I felt like giving up on life. I literally wanted to stop living.

Then I read this verse…

“The Lord is near the broken-hearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.”

I can’t tell you how much comfort, love, and hope flooded into my heart at that moment. It felt like an ocean of tears was falling down my face.

Just knowing that He was near to me at a time when it really didn’t feel like it, and that this mighty God was going to do a mighty work in my life, even though I had failed so badly, filled my heart with hope, joy, and faith.

I want to encourage you that when you seek God He will answer you, just as David makes clear in verse 17. You may not be able to see God at work in the midst of your heartbreak, but when you call out to Him, He is with you.

Let His strength be your strength today. 

• Are you facing heartbreak in your life? Does your spirit feel crushed? Write down the struggles you are facing today and offer them up to God. 
• Is anyone you know facing a heartbreak today? Ask God to help you recognise when people around you are hurting, and to give you words of comfort or a helping hand you can extend to them in their time of need.