“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
We’ve all had our heart broken in some way—maybe by disappointment, fear, shame, rejection, or ridicule.
I would say to you, as your friend, that I’m sorry your heart has been broken. I really am. I care about the hurt that you have gone through because God cares about it. He hurts with you. What was God doing when you were weeping? He was weeping too.
In fact, it is in your pain that God is closest to you, whether you realize it or not.
The Bible says in Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (NIV). How does he do that? He saves us by giving us a heart transplant. It’s his specialty, in fact.
God says, in effect, “For the heart that’s guilty, I’ll give you a heart that’s forgiven. For the heart that’s resentful, I’ll give you a heart that’s full of peace. For the heart that’s anxious, I’ll give you heart that’s confident. For the heart that’s lonely, I’ll give you a heart full of love. The heart that has been bitter and angry? I’ll give you a heart that is forgiving and loving and generous instead. Let me do a heart transplant in you. I will set you free.”
Why do we need freedom? Because we’re all enslaved. We’re slaves to the expectations of other people. We’re slaves to past memories. We’re slaves to future fears. We’re slaves to current pressure. We’re slaves to the opinions of society, and on and on and on.
But all you have to do is open your heart to Jesus Christ and give him 100 percent of your heart. Say, like David in Psalm 119:32, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding” (NIV).
We must stop limiting God! We can’t even imagine how much he wants to do with our lives. Open your heart to him, and let him transplant your heart for his own.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Start every day with God’s word—and share the hope with others!
Thank you for your generous gift below to help share the hope of Jesus with more people through Daily Hope!
As thanks for your gift, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s "Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise."
This resource will help you start each day encouraged and filled with the purpose, peace, and promises of God.
Request yours below—and thank you for your generous partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
