35. Broken Hearts

Broken Hearts

He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147.3.

Jesus specializes in healing broken hearts. He is indeed a heart specialist. He invites people with broken hearts to come to Him. He has a permanent cure for them. He always deals with His patients in tenderness and love. Of the countless numbers of broken hearted people who have entrusted themselves to Him, He has not lost a single case. This is a marvelous record. No one needs fear such a physician. Speaking of Jesus’ mission on earth, God’s Word clearly states: “He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted” (Isaiah 61.1).

Our Lord does not despise broken hearts. A brokenhearted person may be tempted to think the Lord does not care. His grief may stagger him, yes, even break him down. He may think that because he has rejected the Lord so long there is no help for him now. He may even imagine he has fallen too low for the Lord to care for him. To be sure, our friends may show little or no interest in us at a time like this. We may even condemn and despise ourselves. But the Lord never despises anyone with a broken heart. David knew this, and therefore cried out, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51. 17). It is the broken heart that gives the Saviour entrance. Thank God, dear friend, if you have a broken heart!

Our Lord is near to people with broken hearts. We may not feel His nearness. In fact, we may even feel He is far from us. But, we have been taught not to base our hopes on our feelings. It is the Word, and the Word alone, that we must believe. Our feelings may fluctuate, but God’s Word remains the same. Let us again turn to the Word and see what our Lord has to say about people with broken hearts: “Jehovah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as are of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34. 18). That is God’s truth, written in words that all can understand. The Lord has never canceled one promise. This one is as good as the day when it was first given. He who does not believe it classifies God as a liar. God save us from such a sin. We believe therefore that the Lord “is nigh” to them of a broken heart. Not that He will some day draw nigh, but that He “is nigh.”

Our Lord also creates new hearts. He never tries to patch up an old, sinful heart. The material is no good. Therefore He uses His almighty Word to create a new clean heart. Whenever that happens the greatest miracle of all time takes place. Every saved soul has been given a new heart, “wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new” (2 Corinthians 5. 17). If you want a clean heart, then cry out with David, “Create in me a clean heart, 0 God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51. 10). God always creates out of nothing. Through the power of His Word alone, the universe was created. Through the same power of His Word He creates new hearts. You need not try to create all kinds of good intentions and resolutions as material for Him to use. Away with them! Simply cry out in your helplessness, and He out of His own goodness and mercy will answer. Our God has promised, “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Jehovah: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart” (Isaiah 24.7).

Have you heart trouble of any kind? Is your heart heavy with grief? Is it broken because of sin? Then by all means consult a heart specialist. There is one standing beside you now. He is ready to go to work immediately. One of His jubilant followers who was completely healed left the following testimony: “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness unto all them that call upon thee” (Psalm 86. 5). Note especially the words “all” and “call.”

Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes
The Saviour promised long!
Let every heart prepare a throne
And every voice a song.

He comes, the prisoners to release
In Satan’s bondage held;
The gates of brass before Him burst
The iron fetters yield.

He comes, the broken heart to bind,
The bleeding soul to cure,
And with the treasures of His grace
To bless the humble poor.

Our glad hosanna, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim;
And Heav’n’s eternal arches ring
With Thy beloved Name.
PHILIP DODDRIDGE, 1735.