When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. —Psalm 34:17-18
"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles" (v. 17). How many times do good people, when they are in danger or in desperate need, cry out for God to hear and deliver them from all their troubles?
Charles Spurgeon said, “He is like a night watchman, who no sooner hears the alarm bell than He flies to relieve and deliver those who need Him.” No matter what our trouble may be the Lord can always free us of all our burdens. Only prayer can set us free from our burdens only if we allow the Lord to fight on our behalf. When the righteous man cries out God hears and removes his troubles.
God’s true people are ever righteous in His eyes because Christ died for our sins. God responds to the cry of His hurting people even if our trouble is caused by our own sinfulness. Our God is full of compassion for His own. John Calvin said, “Not only is God our deliverer, but it is good and fitting that the believer is afflicted, so that we can breathe again in God alone.” Even when we are overwhelmed by our own troubles God does not depart from us. It is we that depart from Him.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (v. 18)
It seems that when we are broken and at our lowest point, we think God is very far away. In reality, that is when He is nearest to us. So often we seek peace and contentment in our own works and experiences forgetting God is always with us and in us when we need Him.
When we are “brokenhearted and crushed” that is when God will do a good work in us. When we humble ourselves before God, He will have compassion on us. Jesus is the name above every name.
God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are sorry for their sins. He is full of compassion for His own. The arrogant, self-righteous person looks in vain for help from God, but He works on behalf of the humble in spirit.
We are not alone when we are down and become prideful, God is with us.
When we are humbled by our troubles, we are more likely to draw nearer to God. God resists the proud but gives favor to the humble in spirit.
For Reflection
Do you feel God is very far away?
Do you cry out to God in a humble way laying your burdens on His altar?
Allow God to give favor to your humble spirit!