Read: Psalm 34
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted. (v. 18)
When I was 21, I was diagnosed with a mental illness. The diagnosis stung. I knew God created me, yet I was ashamed. I prayed, but I couldn’t understand why God didn’t heal me. During one hospitalization in my 30s, I memorized Psalm 34, and its promises challenged and comforted me. I knew that God was near to me. Over the years, although I’m not healed, I’ve become stronger and more able to manage the ups and downs of my life. When we’re troubled or burdened, God answers our prayers by going through our struggles with us (Isa. 43:2).
In Psalm 34, David tells us that though we will see troubles, God is near to the brokenhearted (v. 18). He is watching over us and is listening to our cries (v. 15). He will protect us and deliver us (v. 7). David calls us to take a bite of God’s goodness (v. 8)—to try for ourselves by our own experience and find out exactly how satisfying God is. God takes care of our every need (vv. 8-10), provides us with life (vv. 11-15), carries us through troubles, and saves us from our enemies (vv. 17-22). If we try to know the goodness of God in our trials, we’ll know his care and provision.
In our brokenness, God reminds us—do not fear. There will be times where we might not feel close to God, but that doesn’t change his provisions and his promises. He is with us, and he will lead us through.
As you pray, ask how you can experience God more fully.
About the Author
Ariana D. Den Bleyker is a Pittsburgh native currently residing in New York’s Hudson Valley. She is the author of two devotional poetry collections,To Be Held by the LightandWaking in the Light. She is an ordained deacon in the Reformed Church of America.
