A Broken Heart
Today’s Verse:
Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. ~Psalm 69:20
The superscription to Psalm 69 says, “Upon Shoshannim.” This means “upon the lilies.” The context of this psalm presents to us a lily among thorns. It is a Messianic psalm as it was quoted by or refers to our Lord Jesus Christ several times (vv. 4, 8, 9, 21). It is a psalm of David as he goes through a very excruciating trial. He speaks of his broken heart. The ultimate in sadness is the pain of a heart that is broken. What do you do with a broken heart?
We see the grounds.
A broken heart occurs when you have experienced a life-altering calamity or event that leaves you shattered and torn up in your feelings. His heart was broken because he had no one he could turn to for comfort or help. He speaks of those who hated him without a cause. He was alienated from his family. He was rejected, reviled, and refused. He was treated with utmost contempt. A broken heart can be a very traumatic experience.
We see the grief.
David uses the word reproach six times to describe how bad his situation was. There is disgrace and scorn in reproach. He felt like he was sinking in deep mire. Sinking in quicksand is a slow and terrifying experience. It is a slow drowning and suffocation. David felt like he was suffocating in tears and weeping. He had no one to comfort or pity him. When we have a broken heart, we can find ourselves crying day after day until we become hoarse in voice and failing in our sight. No words aptly describe the sadness and remorse of a broken heart.
We see the grace.
“But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.” David made his prayer to God. He came boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. He was hurting, but he found grace in the eyes of the Lord. He knew that his prayer was at an acceptable time. God is always waiting to hear from us. He remembered the lovingkindness of the Lord. He called on the God of his salvation for deliverance and help. He asked God to deal with his adversaries. The turning point in David’s trial was when he made his prayer to God.
We see the growing.
What David went through was necessary for his spiritual growth. The greatest triumph that we achieve in a trial is our conformity to our Lord. Since this is a Messianic psalm that speaks of our Lord’s sufferings, David could identify with the suffering of our Lord. Paul said that his aim in life was to know Jesus Christ and the fellowship of His sufferings. Suffering is painful, but it is also profitable. It teaches us to wait on the Lord. It teaches us how to trust in the Lord. It is the pathway by which His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We learn that “he giveth more grace.” It is the means by which we are conformed to the image of Christ. In verse 32, David said, “And your heart shall live that seek God.” God is the only One Who can effectively heal a broken heart. You might go through a broken-heart experience, but you will live and be a better Christian. Let a broken heart be the opportunity for God to fill up the hurt inside of you. Don’t be like others who desert the Lord or languish in their broken heart. “But as for me, my prayer is unto thee.”
Have a comforted God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Job 8-10