Near as Your Heartbeat – The Presidential Prayer Team

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18

What do you do when you feel depressed? Have you ever walked around in a circular swimming pool creating a whirlpool, then turned around to walk against the current? It is difficult at first. Likewise, when you are depressed in spirit, meditating on God—His goodness, His love, His forgiveness—is hard at first. Though you may not feel like shifting your focus, Isaiah 61:3 states that a garment of praise replaces the spirit of despair or heaviness. As you begin to sing praises the oppression begins to lift, not unlike the current changing in that pool. As today’s verse says, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Whether you feel His presence or you are feeling down, it is necessary to give Him thanks and sing His praises (Psalm 92:1). Dwelling on difficult circumstances, fears, and regrets can set you on a downward spiral emotionally. Those things may be true, but they are not the whole truth. Remember God’s character and promises. Remind yourself that He loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you. Imagine Him drawing near to you as you draw near to Him (James 4:8). Recall all the times He has answered your prayers.

Thank Him for being a loving, forgiving, prayer-answering God. Be confident in His ability to turn all things for your good, no matter what is happening in your life or in this country. Pray for His perfect will to be done and that He would bring peace to the nation’s troubled leaders and citizens. Be thankful that, as the verse following today’s indicates, though problems abound, the Lord is your Deliverer. And as a popular hymn says, “Count Your Blessings, name them one by one.”

Today’s Verse: Psalm 34:18

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
²My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
³Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

⁴I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
⁵Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
⁶This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

⁸Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
⁹Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
    for those who fear him have no lack!
¹⁰The young lions suffer want and hunger;
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

¹¹Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹²What man is there who desires life
    and loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴Turn away from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
¹⁶The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

¹⁹Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken.
²¹Affliction will slay the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²²The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.