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- Oct 26, 2007
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When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18 ESV
Affliction happens. The righteous and wicked both face it, but not everyone is broken by it. Rather, not everyone is broken in the same way.
When painful events happen—the death of a loved one, a serious medical diagnosis, losing a good job, the end of a relationship—those who trust in God are reminded that He is strong in their weakness. He is near to the brokenhearted and can weather our recriminations. God hears our sorrows and sits beside us in our grief. He wraps us in His love and reminds us that nothing happens apart from His plan, and even when we don’t see how our pain fits into His glory, our trust does.
When those who don’t trust in God experience affliction, they have no such comfort. They have only themselves, which have just been shown to be quite fragile.
When we suffer affliction, we shouldn’t be surprised. But how we deal with our pain matters. Cry out to God, and He will come near. It is better to be brokenhearted and seeking God’s comfort than simply broken by application we know will come.
Prayer: Father, You promised that I would have to endure pain, but You also promised that You’d be there for me when I do. Keep my heart broken for You.
Affliction happens. The righteous and wicked both face it, but not everyone is broken by it. Rather, not everyone is broken in the same way.
When painful events happen—the death of a loved one, a serious medical diagnosis, losing a good job, the end of a relationship—those who trust in God are reminded that He is strong in their weakness. He is near to the brokenhearted and can weather our recriminations. God hears our sorrows and sits beside us in our grief. He wraps us in His love and reminds us that nothing happens apart from His plan, and even when we don’t see how our pain fits into His glory, our trust does.
When those who don’t trust in God experience affliction, they have no such comfort. They have only themselves, which have just been shown to be quite fragile.
When we suffer affliction, we shouldn’t be surprised. But how we deal with our pain matters. Cry out to God, and He will come near. It is better to be brokenhearted and seeking God’s comfort than simply broken by application we know will come.
Prayer: Father, You promised that I would have to endure pain, but You also promised that You’d be there for me when I do. Keep my heart broken for You.
