Close to the Brokenhearted - Holy Land Moments devotions | IFCJ

Close to the Brokenhearted - Holy Land Moments devotions | IFCJ: Close to the Brokenhearted Credit:flickr/Michael Swan The LORD is close to the brokenhearted     and saves those who are crushed in spirit. — Psalm 34:18 In honor of my father, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, and his lifework helping Christians understand the Jewish roots of their faith, I offer you one of his devotional teachings from the beloved Psalms. If given the choice, most of us would hit the fast-forward button when it comes to the painful scenes in our lives. It’s not pleasant, the episode may be scary, and there are moments that are downright excruciating to remember. However, if we could simply skip over these challenging times, we wouldn’t be doing ourselves any favors. These are the moments that dreams are made of. Really. Take a look at what King David said in Psalm 34, a psalm he wrote when his life had been in danger and he had been miraculously saved. He wrote: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God is extra close to the brokenhearted. The time when our spirits are crushed is also a time of salvation. Our most trying moments can lead to our greatest triumphs. We must never waste them. Who wouldn’t want VIP treatment