The righteous cry out and the LORD hears and delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is near the broken-hearted and the crushed in spirit.     Psalm 34:17-18

I spent many years on that broad pathway that leads to destruction. When you are traveling a wide, smooth highway you have a false sense of security. You think all is well. We are told, however, in Matthew 7:14 that the gate is narrow, and the road is difficult that leads to life, and few find it.

Sadly, it is often when we are cruising along with this false sense of security that we get our hearts broken or our spirits crushed. This usually happens because of a loss. We may be betrayed by someone we trusted. We may lose someone we loved. We may lose a job and struggle.

Sometimes it happens because we weren’t living the way we should have been living. David was a prime example of this. He had finally become king. He lived in the palace. He had many wives and concubines, but he had to have Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. His sin of adultery led him to commit murder. He seemed blissfully unaware of his sins until Nathan, the prophet, pointed them out to him. This left him a broken man.

David wrote Psalm 51 as a result. David prayed for God to blot out his sin. He prayed in verses 11-12, “Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.”

David didn’t lose his salvation, but he lost his baby boy. He lost the peace and joy of his family. Nathan told him that God would forgive him, but the sword would never leave his house. There was fighting within their family for the rest of David’s days. There was a heavy price to pay for his sin.

Job was an example of someone who was righteous but suffered because of the devil. God allowed the devil to take everything away from Job, even his health. God was sure that no matter what the devil did to Job, he would not curse God. In his anguish, Job cried out to God. He questioned God, but he did not curse God.

Both of these men suffered from a broken heart and a crushed spirit due to great loss. In both cases, God was near. God still loved David even though David messed up. God still loved Job even though Job questioned Him.

Many people come to God because of a broken heart or a crushed spirit. God is there for us. If you are upset or hurting, know you are not alone. He never forces His presence on us, but He is waiting with outstretched arms for us to call upon Him. We must be willing to come to Him. Our Scripture passage says God hears the righteous when they cry out and He delivers them from all their troubles.

We must humble ourselves and confess our sins to Him and repent. 1 John 1:9 tells us if we do this, He is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 91:1 says if we choose to live under the protection of the Most High, we will dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. God’s got you. No matter how bad things may seem, He is here to take care of you. You may go through the fire and the flood, but He is right there with you.

When your heart is broken and your spirit is crushed, know He’s there for you. Know He is willing and able to bring you through safely to the other side if you will choose to walk with Him. If you will choose to hold His hand, He will hold on to you. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear for I am with you; do not be afraid for I am your God.  I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”

If you are going through hard times, reach out to Him. Grab His hand, He’s holding it out to you. Trust in Him and have no fear for He is there with you.

Have a great day!