Devotional - August 26, 2026

Scripture: Psalm 34:18  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Much of my ministry has been with those who find themselves in difficult times.  Life has gone side-ways and they are not doing well.  For some, it was the results of their own doings, for others it was not, but there they are and the situation is not good.  The things they thought reliable are anything but, and their options are bleak at best.  They react the way most do, they become depressed or break under the situation.  When you mention God or this Scripture, they say, where was God before this happened!  It's a good question.  Most of us get told at some point, God is in control, which makes some assume what happened was God's punishment or God is testing them.  But, we are also told, God knows everything, so wouldn't God know and there would be no need for a test?  Then they are told, no, the test is so you will know.  So..., they are lying in a hospital bed, with debt piling up, their family is in turmoil, and they are suffering unbearable pain, so they could know what???  I do not subscribe to this kind of thinking or theology.  I have come to accept that I don't understand all there is to know about God and suffering (Isaiah 55: 8-9, Romans 11:34) and I don't listen to others who think they do.  But like David in this Psalm, and I hope like you, I have come to know God is near during our times of hardship.  God gives us strength and hears our prayers (Psalm 46:1).  God gives inspiration that will help the situation.  The hard part is, getting ourselves situated so we are not focussed on our hardship or suffering.  We understand it is there, but so are God and others (some of whom you do not know about); let that bring peace to your heart (Proverbs 18:10).  Be wise, realize your thinking and actions have very real consequences in the situation (Psalm 23:7).  Asking yourself, is this really going to help, helps.  And don't be afraid to claim your own part of the situation, if it is there.  Or, to identify the situation as it is, not what you want it to be.  In other words, accept you are not in control of it.  Sometimes, saying God is in control of it is our way of controlling it and we get disappointed when things get worse.  How many times have you driven in circles because you would not accept you were lost.  Accepting you were lost, was the way you found your way out.  I used to hate the word acceptance, but now I have found it is the way to clarify my situation, personally, socially, and even spiritually.  I may not know what is happening, but I know Who is with me and what that means.  

Pray with me ..., Holy God, help us to not give way under all the hardships of life.  Remind us that You will help us through and hear our prayers.  Help us to accept Your help.  Hear us as we pray for those who are near and dear to us.  We ask that You would bless them according to their needs.  We ask Your blessing upon our church, so we can be the blessing You call us to be, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

God's peace,

Pastor Brian