“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 ESV
Reflection: how can an almighty God also have a broken heart?
Yesterday we had once again an amazing experience at church. I have to admit that we came with high expectations, but of course not knowing at all what was going to happen. After worship, child dedication and a beautiful story from a man who grew up in Uganda, the pastor steps up and says “My heart is so heavy”. He tells us that he just decided to save the sermon for another time, and instead share with the congregation some of the things going on in our midst. He proceeds with several stories, of so many mourning moms having lost their baby during pregnancy, of a friend of his that just passed away who always sent him uplifting notes. And several young people who have passed away unexpectedly, including one that the whole congregation had been pleading to God to do a miracle. But he didn’t, and the young man passed away.
As he is telling of all this pain, he is broken down right there in front of everyone, as is the whole congregation. He brings in the story of the suffering of the early church, in Colossi, as Paul is writing his letter to them from prison in Rome. And he is reminding us that sometimes God doesn’t bring healing, or create a path that we might be praying for. Even pleading for. As he said, no doubt that the early congregations were praying, pleading to God that He would open the prison doors for Paul so that he could continue his missionary ministry, planting new and building up existing churches. But he didn’t. And it doesn’t always make sense to us, what God does or doesn’t do.
We read in psalms 34 this beautiful promise, that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 ESV. And I was thinking after the service yesterday, this ache, this pain we all felt, was really the pain of the Lord. He was there, through His Spirit, so present. Interestingly, we as a family were also going through some very difficult things, including the loss of a young man in our family. Our hearts are broken, but we really felt that the Lord wanted to tell us yesterday, that He knows. That He too has a broken heart from the pain. That He was near us, and everyone who were experiencing pain and difficulties, of His children. Of the body of Christ. The pastor ended the service with pulling out his guitar. And we sang a few worship songs together, including the hymn “Because He Lives”, with the refrain
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, All fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives.”
One day all the confusion, the suffering, the loss we experience and endure in the world will be gone. We can face today and tomorrow because He lives. And we will be in His glorious presence forever, as we were created for. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”” Revelation 21:3-4 ESV
Thank you Lord, for entering into our pain, sharing your broken heart with us. And even if we have to walk through dark and difficult valleys, you are there comforting us with your rod and your staff, as you did yesterday at church. We thank you, and give you all the glory and praise. .