Close to the Brokenhearted
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” (Psalm 34:4–5)
There are days it feels as if the universe is watching. Ministry is not just a glass house, but a revolving door of constant input, questions, sometimes judgment, many times encouragement, and admiration. However, there are days when it feels as though our families’ lives are under the microscope. There isn’t a break, and the tide of ministry keeps crashing in. Fear can become a constant companion. Fear of… You name it – fear can dominate it.
In recent retreats, fear has been a theme in many lives. Fear of the future, fear of rejection, fear of forced termination, fear of failure, FEAR. Our greatest enemy’s most used tactic. Fear and intimidation. He wants us to fear all things in this supernatural calling!
You realize that what we do is supernatural, don’t you? Right? One part of the struggle we can face is that we forget we are fighting a supernatural battle. The greatest foe of our lives doesn’t want us to serve without fear. His primary strategies are deception and intimidation, which instill fear. Fear can paralyze us. It causes us to compare ourselves to everyone else. Measuring our “success” according to our standards or the standards of people, versus the ONE who called us to the work. So let’s look to see what the Lord says through His Word.
David, writing from a place of fear, begins by praising the Lord. I have a friend who, when I’m anxious and fearful, says to me, “Diane! You need to get your Praise on, girl!” Read the words of Psalm 34:1-3 (NLT). I will praise the Lord at all times.
“I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord. Let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.”
David, who has just pretended to be insane with Abimelech, who sent him away, is now alone with his thoughts. He is anxious and fearful, but David acknowledges the Lord and praises His name in the middle of all of those emotions. He reminds us that God, who is helpless, can take heart for God with you, and when we are helpless and powerless, we must call on Him!
Remember:
God is Near in Your place of Service!
He gives freedom from all of our fears. When we pray – and focus on Him, it doesn’t mean that all things will be peaceful or circumstances will change; it means that He changes our hearts, and the emotion of fear won’t rule us.
When we call on Him, He alone frees us from all of our fears!
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. (vs. 4)
We can trust Him, and it will be evident with radiant joy!
When we cry out to Him and place our Trust in Him, no matter what may come, our countenance will be changed. We can fix our eyes on Him and not on the people or circumstances that have kept us from walking in trust and joy!
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. (NLT) (vs. 5)
This powerful psalm continues to speak, offering encouragement and instructions in verses six through seventeen, and then David pens the words of verse eighteen. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” There are days we are crushed in our spirits! We can’t breathe any deeper, and we are overwhelmed with emotions.
God promises: Encouragement for the Journey (vs. 19-22)
“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”
Do you see it? He never leaves us! Ministry can bring deeply personal heartaches—conflict in the church, loneliness in leadership, or seasons where fruit is hard to see. In those moments, remember that God doesn’t stand far off. He is near. He is enough. He rescues and sustains.
I’m praying for you! Take courage – Jesus has overcome this world!
Love, Diane
Prayer
Father, thank You for being close to me in every season of ministry. Teach me to seek You in my fears and to rest in Your deliverance. Make my life radiant with Your joy so that others may see Christ in me. Give me courage to serve faithfully and wisdom to walk humbly beside my husband in the work You’ve called us to. Amen.
