God Is Always Near

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

One of the most important verses to me in the last few months has been this one. The God we serve is not apathetic to our plight. He isn’t mindless or numb to our pain. In fact, it is when we are feeling alone, that His presence can be ever sweeter.

God is concerned about souls and hearts and “wounds.” This is a trait not often seen in our human kings and rulers who are posturing themselves for stronger militaries and shoring up defenses. When a national tragedy occurs, the President will often speak words of comfort for those who are grieving, but he does it from the White House many miles away. And he can never draw closer to the sufferer than God, and he can never give the words we need to hear from God. The God of the Universe looks to shore up the souls of men.

David also wrote, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in -spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Ps 34:18-19).

Charles Spurgeon reminds us, “Behold, what the Most High has to do with the sick and the sorrowful, with the wretched and the wounded! … Few will associate with the despondent, but Yahweh chooses their company, and abides with them till he has healed them by his comforts. … He himself lays on the ointment of grace, and the soft bandages of love, and thus binds up the bleeding wounds of those convinced of sin.”

What a gracious work of God! God can heal and bind up your scars better than any pastor or close grandparent or beloved spouse. He can meet that deeply felt need with real healing and real bandaging.

Who or where do you go first when the tears begin to flow? Who or where do you turn when you try to make sense of your trial? Who do you trust with your vulnerable heart and emotions?

How about the One who made you, who doesn’t waste pain, who is sovereign over the good and bad, and who guides the emotions and makes the heart beat?

The Treasury of David, pg. 415