Today’s psalm, like so many psalms, is one of praise to the Lord. As I write this devotional it is the last day of the year, and most of you will be reading this at the beginning of the new year. What better way to either end the old year and begin a new one than to sing praise to the Lord!
Some of you may have ended the past year with a heart that is heavy with sadness. Perhaps a dear loved one passed away during the last year, and you are facing this new year, and all future years without the one you loved so well. Or perhaps the one you thought loved you has broken trust and that relationship has come crashing down this past year. Spouses, children, parents, friends - they can all hurt us terribly, leaving us with a broken heart. The Lord God addresses our broken hearts here in our psalm today, in verse 3.
When we feel like our heart has been broken because of a death, a divorce, or the end of a relationship, it is as if the light has gone out in our life. Left unchecked, a broken heart can lead to depression, sometimes a deep depression. A doctor cannot mend a broken heart. Counselors and therapists can help, but are not always effective. Where can we turn?
In verse 3 of our psalm today, we read that the Lord God is the one we can turn to for healing of our broken heart. He binds up the wounds to our spirit that happen during these difficult times, and bears our sorrows for us. God hears our cries when we are heartbroken and feel we can’t go on any more. Jesus will not abandon us. This verse is echoed by the prophet Isaiah when speaking of the Messiah (Isaiah 61:1). The Lord Jesus quoted Isaiah’s verse when He started His ministry (Luke 4:16-19). Jesus is the one to turn to when our heart is badly broken, as He is the one who will heal these wounds.
Many people make a new year’s resolution to get in physical shape, perhaps by joining a gym or using some exercise equipment they may have. Exercising and getting into good physical shape is good, however the Lord delights even more when we fear Him, having a deep reverence and respect for Him, and putting our trust in His divine mercy (vs. 10-11). We can impress other people by our good physical shape, how fast we can run or swim, how much weight we can lift, etc. God is not impressed with that. He is not impressed by the speed of the fastest horse in a race, or even by how fast our car can go. God delights in those who have a healthy fear of him, who know and seek His unfailing love. Although He has created everything, His greatest joy come from our genuine worship and trust. When the Lord God has our love and fear then He will be able to use any skills and abilities we have.
Throughout our psalm we see the thread of God’s care in His creation. He brings the rain to earth to grow crops for men and animals to eat (vs. 9, 11). He brings us our four seasons. For many of us winter is just getting started This is my least favorite season, as I dislike the cold and snow. Who can stand before or bear His cold, as our author said (vs. 17). We can rest assured, though, that no matter the weather or the cold, it is all in the Lord’s hands.
As we begin this new year let’s give our lives to the Lord God in fear and reverence, knowing that He holds all things in His hands. Also, if any are carrying a broken heart into the new year, know that Jesus, alone, is the one who can heal broken hearts if we only bring them to Him.
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