Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Brokenness

It seems that Jesus has a special place in his heart for people who are broken, crushed, down-and-out. "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34) and "I dwell... with the contrite and lowly of spirit" (Isaiah 57). He was with Joseph during 13 years of cruel isolation and slavery, and showed favor to him in a place of affliction and suffering. And with David: he was anointed as king, and then spent years on the run, hiding out in caves from a king that would destroy him.

Many times we are in crushing circumstances that are beyond our control. And the natural tendency is to kick, scream, fight, vindicate ourselves... and run from brokenness. But this is the very place we will find the embrace of God. He is near to the brokenhearted. He is with the contrite (crushed) and lowly of spirit. And many times we feel like He is so far away. A friend recently shared this verse (his life-verse) with me: "So now, descendants of Jacob, trust in your God and return to him. Be loyal and just, and wait patiently for your God to act" (Hosea 12:6).

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for God is with me" (Psalm 23).

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