“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.” Psalm 34:19
I know when we are experiencing pain, it can be almost hurtful to hear the Lord is close. many people, in fact, feel the opposite, they feel the Lord abandoned them, forgot them.
I have been there. I have witnessed death too young and heartache too heavy. I have shed tears and heated words in those moments with our Lord.
But in the same breath, I have uttered like Peter: to whom else should I go?
It’s my reality. Even when I feel the Lord should’ve changed something in my life, protected me from others, saved loved ones from an early death, I know my worldview is very different from God’s eternal view.
I want to play god in those moments. Not a god of free will but a god who gets to control everything. Make it all good. But is that even possible?
What do we learn from a life where we never experience loss? What do we learn from never having to face adversity? How do we value all things good if nothing bad ever happens?
We take it for granted. When we are in the “highs” of life, we often take for granted relationships, that things will always be a certain way, that everyone gets along happily.
When life surprises us in bad ways: breaking our hearts, crushing our spirits, it’s a nails on chalkboard reality check.
Make it stop.
This is why the Lord is close. He loves us dearly. He understands that we want from Him all the good things and we want Him shielding us from all the bad.
But He knows He can’t prevent it all. If He did, we would not have free will.
I learned this lack of control as a parent. No matter the shielding, no matter my great desire for all to go perfectly for my kids. I cannot control everything.
I cannot control if people talk about them. I cannot control if illness overtakes them. I cannot prevent a car accident or a failed class. Despite my best efforts, my kids will experience pain but I am right there.
I am close, checking in on them, hugging them, holding them, uttering words of encouragement.
The Lord promises the same. He is ready to absorb all your emotions, your words, your lack of understanding, and whatever else you need to give Him.
He is close. He will not let the darkness overtake you. He will save you if your spirit is crushed and losing sight of the light.
He never intended the world to be like this. He set this world in motion so that we could get back to the pain-free, joyful eternity He had always wanted for us.
He entered into the pain with us. He experienced first hand watching the pain and suffering of others and He faced His agony in the garden, His Passion and death on the cross, knowing betrayal, abandonment and leaving His life at the mercy of this earth.
He knows what this earthly life can do to someone—the very worst of what it can do. No one understands better.
In Him, though, we also see what is to come. Life. Eternal life that cannot be contained in this world.
We often expect heaven on earth. It’s a desire of the heart: Heaven. But it comes AFTER this life. We might glimpse it occasionally. And praise God for those glimpses.
But for now, we must trust in the promise that when we experience the heartbreaking, crushing moments of earth, the Lord is right there with us. Listen for Him. Lean into Him. Let Him hold you for a while.
Rest in the promise that He is close.
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