Secured by Eternal Faith: A Road to Restoration

DAY 2: God's Presence in the Pain

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Breaking down the scripture:

"The Lord is close..."

For me, this is one of those beautiful reminders that God isn't distant or out of reach. I think sometimes we picture God as far away, maybe too busy with the world or too holy to care about our daily struggles, but that's not the case at all. The idea that "the Lord is close" really speaks to how personal and involved God is in our lives. He's both beyond us, of course, but He's also right here with us, in the moments when we need Him most. When we're hurting, when we're lost, or even when we're unsure of where to turn next, God is there. Not just watching, but actively near, offering comfort and understanding in ways that are hard to explain but deeply real.

"...to the brokenhearted..."

When I think about the word "brokenhearted," I think about those moments in life that feel like a heavy weight on your chest. Maybe it's the loss of someone close to you, the sting of betrayal, or the crushing disappointment of unmet expectations. We've all been there, right? Those moments when it feels like your heart is shattered into a million pieces. It's comforting to know that the Bible doesn't shy away from acknowledging pain. It doesn't tell us to just "get over it" or "move on" when we're struggling. Instead, it says God is especially near when our hearts are hurting. He meets us there, right in the middle of that pain, and offers His presence as a source of healing.

"...and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

The idea of being "crushed in spirit" really resonates with me, too. It's not just emotional exhaustion; it's that deep, soul-level weariness that feels like you can't go on. I think we've all had moments when life's burdens felt too much to bear, and we felt spiritually drained, like our strength was gone. When the Bible talks about God saving those who are crushed in spirit, I don't think it's just talking about some future salvation or rescue. It's about God coming in right now right in the middle of our exhaustion and brokenness and lifting us up. It's not just about fixing things, but about restoring our spirit so we can keep going, even when we feel like we can't.

Reflection:

When I think about Psalm 34:18, I'm reminded of just how close God is when things go wrong. This verse isn't just a nice idea, it's a promise. It says that in our deepest pain, God draws near. I find it reassuring that God doesn't wait for us to be perfect or healed before He comes to us; He meets us in our mess. His presence isn't just a comforting thought, it's something real that brings healing. He steps into our brokenness, lifts us up, and helps us keep moving forward. Even when our pain seems overwhelming, we can trust that God is right there with us, offering the restoration we need.

Application:

Acknowledge Your Pain: Be honest with yourself about your emotions and struggles. Acknowledging your brokenness is the first step to healing.Prayer: Confess your feelings to God. Tell Him about your pain, heartache, and struggles. Trust that He hears you.

Seek God's Presence: In moments of hurt, make time to draw near to God. He promises to be close to the brokenhearted.Action: Set aside time for prayer, worship, and meditation on Scripture, especially verses that bring comfort like Psalm 34:18.

Remember God's Promise: Trust in God's promise that He is near, especially when you're brokenhearted. His love and presence are unchanging, even in your darkest moments.Action: Write down the promises from God's Word, like Psalm 34:18, and refer to them daily for strength and encouragement.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your nearness when I am hurting. When my heart is broken and my spirit feels crushed, I know You are with me. I don't have to be strong on my own You come to me in my weakness, bringing healing and hope. I open my heart to You today. I surrender my pain to You, knowing that You are working in me, restoring my soul and lifting me up. Help me feel Your presence today and trust that You will heal every broken place in me. Amen 

Digging Deeper:

How can I begin to heal when my heart feels completely shattered?
Healing doesn't happen overnight, but I believe it starts with acknowledging that God is near, even in the darkest moments. We don't have to fix ourselves first God welcomes us as we are. I've found that leaning into prayer, reading Scripture, and talking to others who understand can help in the healing process. And, most importantly, I think it's about giving ourselves the grace to heal in God's timing, trusting that He will restore us, piece by piece.

Why does God allow us to experience so much pain if He loves us?
Honestly, I don't have all the answers to this. It's something that can really challenge our faith. But one thing I've come to realize is that God doesn't cause pain just for the sake of it. We live in a broken world, and pain is part of the reality of life. But what's amazing is that God promises to be with us in it. Sometimes, the pain we experience draws us closer to Him, deepens our faith, and even helps us grow spiritually in ways we wouldn't have imagined.

How can I trust that God is truly near when I don't feel Him in my pain?
I get that feeling too. It's tough when we don't feel God's presence in the midst of pain. But I've learned that trust isn't about what we feel it's about what we know. Psalm 34:18 is clear that God is near, even if we don't feel it. His promises are constant, even when our emotions don't align. I think the more we lean into God's Word and allow Him to comfort us in those silent moments, the more we begin to sense His closeness.

What does it really mean for God to "save" me from my pain?
For me, "salvation" is more than just being saved from eternal separation from God it's also about God meeting us in our struggles and healing us right now. When the Bible talks about God "saving" us in our pain, it's about Him coming in and restoring us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. God's salvation is a work that happens today, not just in the afterlife. It's about Him bringing healing and hope to our hearts, even in the middle of our suffering