Active Theology

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

My husband had only been out of town a little over 24 hours, yet I already was feeling at the end of my rope. I was alone at home with our three kids who are age 4 and under, and it had been quite a day. As I was walking down the hallway to put something away, I tripped on the pile of laundry that I had yet to put away. I fell harder than normal on my hip, thinking about how I’m thankful that I am 31 and not older to where such a fall could put me in the hospital.  

I cried. The pain disappeared quickly, but my weariness from the day had been building for quite some time. Falling was just the icing on a really bad-tasting cake. However, my tears quickly went away as my two-year-old son came up to me and looked at me closely, trying to figure out what was wrong. He said, “Mommy, are you sad?” I told him that I was indeed sad, but that I was ok. He then looked at me sweetly and said, “Awww…I’m so sad with you.”

His empathetic response at such a young age truly touched my heart. It reminded me of the importance of sitting with others in their sadness and the truth that God is with us when we are sad. In Psalm 34:18, David writes, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

This Psalm seems to create quite the contrast to some of David’s other Psalms that he wrote in the midst of despair. For example, Psalm 13:1 says “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?”

While suffering, David does not feel seen by God. Yet, after God has delivered him from various trials/suffering, David is able to share with us the wisdom that God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A great reminder that even if we do not feel God’s nearness to us in our trials and suffering, He is still there right by our side.

I was never truly “alone” with my kids while my husband was out of town. While this was a seemingly small trial, God was still with me through it- bringing comfort and encouragement to me through the sweet words of my son.

No matter where you are and no matter what you are up against, God is near. Even when you do not “feel” His presence, He is still with you. He “saves the crushed in spirit” in the times of the Old Testament, and He is still saving the crushed in spirit today.

Pray: Lord, I pray that we would be reminded of your nearness- that we would look to you in any trial that we may be facing. Please encourage us in the midst of discouragement, and equip us to encourage others.  Thank you for saving us. Amen.

Song: “Carry Me” by Antoine Bradford

Haley is a stay-at-home mom of 3 kids. She loves illustrating, designing, coffee dates with her husband, and teaching her children about Jesus. A few of her favorite things are Coke Zero, Peanut Butter M&M’s, and TJ Maxx.