The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.–Psalm 34:18

Since the world is filled with those who have a “broken heart”, this ought to be of interest to all of us. Such people are everywhere. But few there be that could or would help them. However, there is someone who can, and who cares, and He is the One that matters most–our Creator! This verse gives us assurance that our adversities get God’s attention. More than that, He is active in our lives—even when we don’t realize it. In our time of need He is “nigh” unto us.

Picture a physician rushing to the bedside of a sick and troubled patient, and picture that patient also being his own dear child. He comes to side because he cares. He renders aid because he can. Even so, our Creator/ Father cares about what concerns us, and He is capable to cure and comfort. What better hands could we be in than those that created and control the universe? The word “nigh” is translated elsewhere “at hand”— the One who has the whole world in His hands is “at hand” to help and heal.

Although our heart be broken over a great number of things, our great Physician specializes in all of them. The frail, the fallen, the failures, the fearful, and the faithless can all be helped by Him. Those who trust Him can rely upon Him to be at their side, “nigh unto them”, in their time of need. Not only is He at their side, but also able to deliver, “saveth”.

It’s strange how the good Lord works. The same week I wrote this article, my daughter Kathy sent me an email with the video of an old Elvis song that I used to listen to when she was a little girl. It says, “I don’t know just what I’d do if the Lord wasn’t walking by my side”. Think about it— what would you do? Where would you be? Thank God,if we walk with Him, He is always at our side—there when we need Him most!

Nobody ever illustrated and dignified servanthood better than Jesus. Fortunately there have been a few willing to follow His example. One of the best example of this is found in this story that I have used on many occasions.

A large group of European pastors came to one of D. L. Moody’s Northfield Bible Conferences in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. Following the European custom of the time, each guest put his shoes outside his room to be cleaned by the hall servants overnight. But because this was America, there were no hall servants.

Walking the halls that night, Moody saw the shoes and was determined not to embarrass his European brothers. He mentioned the need to some ministerial students who were there, but was met with only silence or excuses. So Moody returned to the dorm, gathered up the shoes, and, alone in his room, the famous evangelist began to clean and polish the shoes. Only the unexpected arrival of a friend in the midst of the work revealed the secret.

When the foreign visitors opened their doors the next morning, their shoes were shined. They never know by whom. Moody told no one, but his friend told a few people, and during the rest of the conference, different men volunteered to shine the shoes in secret.

D. L. Moody was a man with a servant’s heart, which was the basis of his true greatness. And while many might consider his act of service as that of someone who was “super spiritual”, all it took was humility to do what he did. In the same way, God calls us to humility each and every day—to live out the love and life of Christ to a watching world around us!

Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven– Matthew 18:21-22

If we are honest with ourselves, Peter’s question is one we all would have wanted to ask. Exactly how many times is it necessary to forgive the same person? To Peter, and to our natural reasoning, seven times seems fairly generous.

But Jesus counters with a grudge-shattering, jaw-dropping figure that is in itself clearly intended to end all our attempts to mark and number each other’s offenses. Turn the pencil around and erase all the wrongs you have carefully been taking note of. Complete and immediate forgiveness, Jesus says, is still in order.

Sometimes it is not so much the number of wounds as the magnitude of one great injury that makes it difficult to forgive. A spouse that was unfaithful, a rumor that was started, or a gaping need that went unnoticed. As C.S. Lewis observes, in such cases it is necessary to forgive, not just 490 times for 490 offenses, but 490 times for one great and terrible injustice — every time the sting of it is felt again in your heart.

As He does in every place the issue arises, Jesus puts to death any hope of a righteous grudge. If, as Jesus reminds Peter in the parable immediately following this admonition, God has forgiven us so much, how can we refuse to forgive those who insult or injure us?–“A Good Thing”

J. R. Miller told of a French ship which had been lost for months amid storms in the southern seas. One morning land was espied from the mast-head. Passengers and crew gathered on deck, awaiting the sight of the coming shore in suspense. Vague outlines only were seen, so vague that the uncertainty almost broke the hearts of the watchers. Was it land? If so, what land? Could it be France? Was it indeed France? Or was it some strange country?

Nearer and nearer they came. Clearer and more distinct became the outlines. After some hours, hours which seemed days, the lookout cried, “France! France! It is France!” The joy of the ship’s company knew no bounds. They were indeed home after all their wanderings, and all their dangers and fears!
 
So will it be with us believers, when, through the mists of that sea which we call death, we approach the shores of eternal life. After the dimness of dying — our eyes shall open to behold the banks of the celestial land! Then the shout will not be, “France! It is France!” but “Heaven! Heaven! It is Heaven!” The storms will all be past. We shall be in eternal glory. Then we shall have life in all its fullness. Then we shall be home forever!

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.— Luke 9:24

Most people approach life backwards.. They put self up-front and everything else behind. They make self the focal point and everything else is made to revolve around that. That explains why we often refer to the world as being “up-side-down”.

The Bible teaches just the opposite. According to Jesus, to find our life we must lose it. To gain it we must give it away. As long as we make living about us we will be miserable—unfulfilled. “Dying to self” is the only thing that can make us truly useful in the Kingdom of God. All truly great men and women have been willing to deny themselves for Christ’ sake. Yet they are the happiest and most well-adjusted people on earth. Obviously losing one’s life for Christ not only makes us useful, it also makes joyful, content, satisfied. Living for self does just the opposite. This accounts for people being so miserable.

Few there be that can honestly say, “–I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content”(Phil. 4:11). They can’t say that because fewer still can say, “For to me to live is Christ-“(Phil. 1:21). Paul could make these statements because he could honestly say, “But none of these things (“bonds and afflictions”) move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus–“(Acts 20:24). Only a man like that can say to a carnal church,”–I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved”(2 Cor. 12:15). Would it not be great if we all had Paul’s attitude?

Getting to that place is perhaps the most difficult thing we ever do, because every step we take is met with opposition from the world, the flesh, and the devil. The flesh desires all for self and none for Christ. Christ demands all for Him and none for the flesh. You make the call. Keep your life and lose it or lose it and find it. The wise man exchanges his will for that of Christ’. What will you do?