Graves and crosses

No matter how hurt, sad or alone we feel, God will never, and has never, left us: 'The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit' (Psalm 34:18 NIV).

God is real and near to us when we're broken and suffering. He notices our shifts of mood. He's a warm presence, waiting to comfort us. God saves is when we're crushed. What does this mean? It means that God turns around the very things that are crushing us and makes them work for us. In Romans, Paul says, 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us' (Romans 8:35-37 NIV).

When we are a conqueror then we fight our enemies and beat them. When we're more than a conqueror (see Romans 8:37), we fight our enemies and then make them work for us. Through God, we can turn to the things that would destroy us and say, 'Come on, graves. Come on, crosses. All you're doing is making me stronger.'



So what now? Maybe you're not feeling broken right now, so you can file this away for another time. But maybe you know someone who is. Give them a call today and ask how they may need you. Just being real with and close to that person is a help in itself. Thank Jesus that he is victorious over the grave and the cross, and therefore you are.





— SCRIPTURE —

'The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.' Psalm 34:18 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

2 Cor 11:16-13:14, John 1:14-28, Ps 51, Pro 25:23-25