Micca Monda Campbell
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Even in the darkest and most trying hour of our lives, God is near.
Not long ago, tragedy struck Pastor Walters' home. Both his wife and daughter were ill and in the hospital at the same time. The husband in him longed to sit with his wife, while the daddy in him ached to care for his daughter. As he stood in the hallway between their two rooms, Pastor Walter knew he couldn't physically be in two places at once. So he knelt down on his knees and entered the throne room of grace. As he drew near to God, God drew near to him and made provision for his needs. Family and friends poured into the hospital as representatives of God's hands and feet. They ministered comfort, support, and love to him, his wife and daughter.
Sadly, Walter lost his wife. Though things didn't turn out as he had hoped, he didn't fret or fear. He understood that while his wife was with God in heaven, God's Spirit was also with him on earth sustaining him with strength, hope, and faith.
Though his heart was crushed, Pastor Walter stood before the church family and spoke of the reality of God's Word, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me … Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:4,6a, NIV). It was clear that God had come near in his darkest hour with the comfort and strength he needed to endure.
Regardless of the road you travel—Lonely Lane, Brokenhearted Boulevard, or Poverty Parkway—there's no place you can go that God can't follow. No heartbreak, no betrayal, no rejection, no failure, no disappointment, and no evil can stop Him from coming near. God will always come for His people. He cannot fail you. He will never quit you, never forget you, and never leave you. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18, NIV).
Dear Lord, my heart is breaking. I hurt deeply. Come and save me. Comfort my spirit and strengthen me so that I may endure. Be my shelter until my storm has passed. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
Broken into Beautiful: How God Restores the Wounded Heart by Gwen Smith
Visit Micca’s blog – Reflections. More of her resources can be found here.
Application Steps:
Often times we miss God's activity in our lives. Ask God to help you to seethe evidence of His care. It may come in a card, a hug from a friend, a comforting conversation, etc. However your support comes, recognize it as God's provision.
Reflections:
Do you often feel like you're going it alone or do you look for God's presence?
Do you find it difficult to ask for or receive help from others? Why or why not?
How has God encouraged your heart lately?
Power Verses:
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." (NIV) I
saiah 49:13b, "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Even in the darkest and most trying hour of our lives, God is near.
Not long ago, tragedy struck Pastor Walters' home. Both his wife and daughter were ill and in the hospital at the same time. The husband in him longed to sit with his wife, while the daddy in him ached to care for his daughter. As he stood in the hallway between their two rooms, Pastor Walter knew he couldn't physically be in two places at once. So he knelt down on his knees and entered the throne room of grace. As he drew near to God, God drew near to him and made provision for his needs. Family and friends poured into the hospital as representatives of God's hands and feet. They ministered comfort, support, and love to him, his wife and daughter.
Sadly, Walter lost his wife. Though things didn't turn out as he had hoped, he didn't fret or fear. He understood that while his wife was with God in heaven, God's Spirit was also with him on earth sustaining him with strength, hope, and faith.
Though his heart was crushed, Pastor Walter stood before the church family and spoke of the reality of God's Word, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me … Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:4,6a, NIV). It was clear that God had come near in his darkest hour with the comfort and strength he needed to endure.
Regardless of the road you travel—Lonely Lane, Brokenhearted Boulevard, or Poverty Parkway—there's no place you can go that God can't follow. No heartbreak, no betrayal, no rejection, no failure, no disappointment, and no evil can stop Him from coming near. God will always come for His people. He cannot fail you. He will never quit you, never forget you, and never leave you. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18, NIV).
Dear Lord, my heart is breaking. I hurt deeply. Come and save me. Comfort my spirit and strengthen me so that I may endure. Be my shelter until my storm has passed. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell
Broken into Beautiful: How God Restores the Wounded Heart by Gwen Smith
Visit Micca’s blog – Reflections. More of her resources can be found here.
Application Steps:
Often times we miss God's activity in our lives. Ask God to help you to seethe evidence of His care. It may come in a card, a hug from a friend, a comforting conversation, etc. However your support comes, recognize it as God's provision.
Reflections:
Do you often feel like you're going it alone or do you look for God's presence?
Do you find it difficult to ask for or receive help from others? Why or why not?
How has God encouraged your heart lately?
Power Verses:
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." (NIV) I
saiah 49:13b, "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." (NIV)
© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Labels: God's Perspective, Marriage, Overcoming, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Trusting God, Waiting On God, Walking in Faith
7 Comments:
Thank you for listening to God and following the steps He directs you to take. The path led straight to my door this morning. Today I face the unwanted death of my 23 yr. marriage. My brokenhearted cry has been answered in the devotion God placed on your heart to share. "Even in the darkest and most trying hour of our lives, God is near."
Broken, but Alive!
God's timing is so awesome. He knew this devotional was just what I needed today to help me face a situation in my marriage. Thank you and to apple, I will pray for you also. May our Lord of love and peace comfort and guide you.
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The Lord surely works in wonderful and mysterious ways. Right before reading today's devotion, I found myself on my knees crying for God's guidance, comfort, anything to let me know He is there with me through my troubles at work, my broken heart, my own failings, etc. Then without thinking I decided to read today's devotion. Thank You Lord for being there!
thank you! Have been going thru a rough and practically broken marriage 'situation' for the past 7 years. My heart is broken and daily I am reminded of what I am facing. I needed a reminder today that God is ALWAYS with me and HE hasn't left me......... I may question, cry, moan, and complain but God is ALWAYS there! Thank you, your devotionals are uplifting and challenging. God bless you. To the other's who have posted, I am praying for you!
Thank you, Micca, for a great reminder in your devo and post of the Lord's constant Presence with us. Before I went out today, I was crying to the Lord for hope and help. When I returned, I read your post and realized He not only had given me strength, but uplifting hope for the day. Thanks for giving me Romans 15:13 to carry around in my heart!
Andrea
Hi Micca,
What a sad yet powerful devo. God is never not with us. It's as simple (and powerful) as that.
We both wrote about tough roads today, I see.
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