Scripture Focus: Psalm 34.18
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Originally published on October 11, 2023, based on readings from Psalm 34.18.
Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.
Music Week: Many choices from readers were ones having to do with music. Some were inspired by a song or hymn, some simply included music as part of the reflection experience. This week, we pray the Holy Spirit’s tune echoes in your heart and that he guides you into Truth as you listen again to these earthly tunes.
Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Russell, Japan — Thanks for sharing this.
MJ, AZ — I am currently in the years of limping along in the journey of anticipated grief…I needed your words today and will keep this post to reference as I move forward on this path. Thank you for sharing this encouragement today.
Reflection: Be With Me — Readers’ Choice
By Erin Newton
In the kingdom of the heavens, no suffering is unknown;
each tear that falls is holy, each breaking heart a throne.
There is a song of beauty on every weeping eye —
for there is One who loves me: His heart, it breaks with mine
These words, which bring me to tears every time, are from the song “Little Things with Great Love” by Porter’s Gate.
At the end of this summer, just a few weeks ago, my mother died. For six years, I limped along this journey of anticipated grief, knowing that her cancer was incurable. I became accustomed to sadness. It was simply a part of my life.
Many of us carry the weight of grief, pain, suffering, trauma—all sorts of sadness—with us every day. Instead of a passing feeling, it becomes a state of being. Grief is an unwelcome guest that lingers too long and too close.
Psalm 34 speaks of deliverance from fear and salvation from troubles. It was the plea of my anguished heart. I like to avoid sadness. Bottling up emotions, avoiding all sad movies, and never lingering too long on tragic events—this was my way of living.
Now I have learned that we get to grieve deeply because we have loved deeply. The weight of our sadness reflects the hope of a beautiful life that has been tragically altered.
What is never mentioned in the psalm is the absence of trouble. It is not praising God for a carefree life. As much as I want to escape heartache, suffering is part of living.
But we are not alone. God is near to the brokenhearted, the completely broken and crushed soul.
In the last days of my mom’s life, I would step out of the car and take a deep breath. I had to go in there and sit by her bed, counting breaths as they labored and slowed. I knew I had to go inside. There was no choice. “Dear Lord, can you go in there with me?” And he did.
I have known the depths of pain, but I have felt the strength of God’s presence. My mom could hear songs “like a choir” and felt an unseen hand rest upon her shoulder. God is near to us.
If there is any way I could talk to my mom now, I’d let her know I’m doing okay. Because I’ll never be alone.
Music: “Little Things with Great Love,” by Porter’s Gate
From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.
Prayer:
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
— Psalm 95.1-3
Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 37 (Listen 3:25)
1 Corinthians 13 (Listen 2:23)
Read more about In the Face of Grief
None of Christ’s followers had to leave their sorrow behind for Jesus to come to them.
Read more about The Grace of Holding Space
What is most needed in these times is a willingness to simply “hold space” for another.
