“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Psalm 34:18 NLT
It’s easy to imagine God’s love as something distant or reserved for our most “put-together” moments. But Psalm 34 reminds us of a stunning truth: God is close to the brokenhearted. Not just aware. Not merely watching. Close.
His compassion isn’t conditional. It doesn’t depend on our mood, our behavior, or how clean our house is. God leans in when our hearts are heavy. He draws near when we feel most alone. And that kind of presence changes everything.
But it’s not meant to stop with us.
The love and compassion God pours into our lives is also a call — a call to live eyes up and eyes out. To notice the weary mom in the grocery line. To check on a neighbor we’ve been meaning to text. To pause and pray instead of rush and scroll.
Love shared is love multiplied.
Sometimes sharing God’s love is easy: sending an encouraging text, making someone laugh, offering a helping hand.
Other times, it’s costly: forgiving when we’ve been hurt, choosing kindness in conflict, listening when we’d rather walk away.
But every time we reflect God’s love — even in the smallest ways — we create space for someone else to feel seen, known, and loved by Him, too.
Let’s live with our hearts open, our eyes up, and our hands ready to respond.
Prayer:
God, thank You for being close when I’m brokenhearted and crushed. Help me receive Your love fully — and then give it freely. Open my eyes to see the needs around me today, and give me the courage to love like You. Amen.
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In Courage,
I check on people when they miss church. It is a call or a text. A lot of those people are single elderly women. Yesterday I visited a friend in rehab. We talked for a while I prayed for her.
There are times when I simply put together a meal for friends. They’ve lost a loved one or family is coming to move in. It’s my way of encouraging people & showing God’s love to others.
Blessings 🙂
This devotional was just what I needed as yesterday (Monday) my heart and my spirit was crushed as my 1 child (a son) who has not talked to me for 6 years now sent me an email with so many nasty, horrible, obscene things that were not even true. My ex husband now who has violent dementia and attempted to kill me told him all these things he made up. My son is 54 years old and after he married at 35, he changed from a wonderful son to the way his wife acts who has severe problems. I have one grandson that they have not let me see or talk to for 5 years now. I have been heartbroken since then and now he is 15 years old. They have intercepted all the cards and money/checks that I included and told him I didn’t even care about him as he did not send cards. I loved your words and said the prayer as the last thing you wrote. I pray all the time for help, but we don’t know what is going on behind the scenes as I dropped all of these problems at God’s feet months ago except of course this last one. I have no other family and I am alone. No visitors. My so-called friends abandoned me months ago as they said they were too busy. It only takes a minute to make a phone call, but I have forgiven them. I don’t know what to do now. As soon as he sent me the long email, I sat and cried and could not believe what he accused me up and then immediately I sat down and prayed my heart out to our Lord. I don’t know what else to do, but who knew at my age that my life would be in such a very dark season. Thank you for your devotional and I will save it to keep reading it over and over. My love to all the (in) courage women as you are my rock. For about 2 months I could not get them and nobody knew what was wrong. My computer went down last week for 2 whole days until the IT Tech came and got it up and running. When I logged on and saw the first page of the devotional, I was just going to delete it as I knew I couldn’t get it, but I believe my Holy Spirit nudged me like He does to try it and it was there. I started crying “Happy Tears” as I depended on those morning devotionals to help guide me through this season. Thanks and Love I send to all of you at (in)courage as I can read and comment again like I did before. All of you are what keeps me grounded during this time………………Betsy Basile
I have a son who was the best one, he was still as sweet and loving.
It’s not way now anymore. For all the moments I need to call or text. I knew John would marry a strong daughter. Now it’s a matter of No connection. I have to be like my mom finally did. “ no news is good new. I feel your pain.
Love you, Susan.”
Dear Jesus, When our journey through life becomes difficult, our hearts are heavy, and when we feel like quitting, uplift us with your GRACE & MERCY. Flood our HEARTS with your JOY and may we share it with others, spreading KINDNESS & LOVE, as we TRUST You…AMEN.
These words couldn’t be more true or encouraging. Timing is perfect! Family conflict, broken trust, and a disconnect among those we love and cherish most. Sadness at every turn with no hope of restoration. These are the times we are facing. But in reality there is hope. And the hope comes when we invite Christ in the midst of all that is wrong. Afterall, He has an unfailing record of healing, restoring, and making better that which was meant for evil. Yes, that which is broken can be mended. That which has been stolen can be returned, and love still heals all wounds.
let your hope remain. God never fails or disappoints. He will get you through!