HOPE TO THE BROKEN-HEARTED

“HE HEALS the BROKENHEARTED and binds up their wounds” – Psalm 147:3

The Word of God guarantees HOPE to the BROKEN-HEARTED: “The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. HE HEALS the BROKENHEARTED and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name” (Psa.147: 2-4). Expectedly, this broken world is full of broken hearts. But our Lord Jesus came for the very purpose of healing broken hearts, binding wounds, and restoring battered lives: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to HEAL the BROKENHEARTED” (Isa.61:1a). The Lord who builds up Jerusalem, gathers the outcasts of Israel, numbers the stars, and calls them by name, is not too preoccupied as to forget to heal the broken-hearted and bind their wounds!

Psalm 147 is an expression of praise, emphasizing how, even though God’s people experienced trauma and anguish over exile and other losses, they had gathered once again in Jerusalem and could trust that now God would bring about their restoration and ultimate healing. Verse 3 specifically reassures Israel, and goes on to list ways in which God would bring about renewal and wholeness both within the people and in the land itself: Lifting up the humble (v.6a); releasing clouds and showers of blessings for abundant provisions; and ensuring supplies and sustenance for all (vv.8-9). The Psalmist therefore called on God’s people to fear Him and “HOPE in His Mercy” (v.11).

The Grand Controller of the Universe is near to every weary soul: “The LORD is near to those who have a BROKEN HEART, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psa.34:18). Many people have had their hearts broken in some way: by betrayal, disappointment, divorce, failure, grief, rejection, ridicule, loss, or shame. God cares about the hurt we’ve gone or are going through. He hurts with us: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4: 15-16). Jesus walked where we walk! He feels what we feel. He was broken-hearted (Isa.53: 3-5). He knows our vulnerabilities. In life’s pains, He remains close to us.

The “brokenhearted” are people who are weakened or crushed within; who feel spiritually bankrupted, ruined, needy, and helpless. They yearn for the Lord’s help, comfort, and salvation. The verb translated “bind up” in the original language means “to inspire with confidence, give hope and courage to, to encourage, to bandage, to dress by covering, wrapping, or binding.” But beyond palliatives, God saves the broken-hearted by giving a HEART TRANSPLANT. That’s His Specialty (Eze.36:36; 2Cor.5:17).

God is saying, “Let Me do a heart transplant in you! 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 forbears. For the heart that’s anxious, I’ll give you heart that’s calm. For the heart that’s lonely, I’ll give you a heart filled with love. For the heart that has been bitter and angry, I’ll give you a heart that is forgiving, loving, and generous.”

God’s Word gives us True Freedom. Many have been enslaved to:

• the expectations of other people;
• past memories of hurts and regrets,
• current pressure and future fears;
• the whims and caprices of society.

They bear broken hearts, splintered in diverse directions. But when we open and give our hearts 100 percent to Jesus Christ, He takes over and does heart transplants! We are reunited with God and gathered back to Him just like He gathered the exiles of Israel long ago. In Him, we find balm for past wounds and Hope for healing, restoration, and wholeness.

Let’s believe God, the Unchanging Changer, to release Hope as “Balm in Gilead” (Jer.8:22). In Christ our Redeemer, THERE is HOPE for every Broken-hearted in our homes, businesses, communities, and spheres of influence, to enjoy Restoration and Wholeness!