God Heals the Brokenhearted

Comfort from the Psalms

Problems

Broken relationships and marriages cause much anguish in our world today. Couples struggle to balance family, careers, financial pressures, and other troubles which can lead to quarrels and breakups.

Others may be facing illness personally, or that of a loved one who may have dementia or a debilitating disease. Some are encountering the trials of grief, having lost a spouse, a family member or a close friend.

This is a hurting world in need of comfort and healing.

The brokenhearted

Believers often turn to the Psalms for solace. Most were penned by King David, who poured out his deep anguish and despair as heartfelt prayers to the God who cares.

An unnamed psalmist penned the famous words of comfort in Psalm 147:

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3, ESV)

The author was referring to those who had been in exile in the context of this Psalm (v2). How difficult it had been to sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land (Psalm 137) and now the bitter memories of Babylon lingered as they returned to Jerusalem.

The God who had counted and named the stars (v4) was the One who heals the brokenhearted. God touched the exiled nation and bound up their wounds to bring healing and restoration.

God is near

We are not left to suffer alone, but can bring our wounded hearts to the One who was wounded for us. Not only did the Lord die for our sins, but He also died to make us whole. In our crushed state, we are usually at the end of our strength — that is when God draws near and extends His healing power to free us from all that causes emotional or psychological pain.

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

Healing

God’s people have been given the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who knows our weakness and suffering, and who prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words (Romans 8:26, NLT).

Let us bring our traumas to Christ; as He works in us, old wounds will become faded scars. The hurt and bitter feelings we harbour inside will melt away in the presence of His grace. Only then shall we be free to sow the seeds of His love in the lives of others.