“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
(Psalm 34:18)
Those who are truly contrite and broken because of sin are in a state of grace. How do we know this? Because Scripture tells us the Lord is near to them. The one who is contrite—crushed in spirit—has been convicted by the Spirit of God and made to see both the evil of sin and the inevitable consequences it brings. Such a soul understands not only that sin is present but that it is offensive to a holy God. His heart is moved by a sorrow rooted in love for God as well as a hatred of sin that has wounded communion with Him.
He does not excuse or minimize his transgressions but grieves deeply over them. He mourns over his actions and intentions as well as his sinful nature, which always tends toward rebellion. He loathes his corrupted inclinations. His conscience rises up to accuse him, and he feels troubled within by the depravity still clinging to his soul. He has seen, in some measure, the darkness of his own heart, and he knows that no remedy lies within himself. This brokenness is the very soil in which saving grace is planted.
David expresses these truths clearly in Psalm 34:15–19. “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry… The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles… The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” The righteous may endure many afflictions, but the Lord delivers them from them all. And in the midst of those afflictions, He draws near to comfort and to save.
Moreover, those who are in a state of grace have received Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in the fullness of who He is—not only as Savior from wrath, but as Prince and King to rule over the heart. They consent to cast off every sin that offends God. They make room in their hearts for the Father, Son, and Spirit. They welcome His commandments, His sanctifying Spirit, His yoke and burden, even His reproach, for His sake and glory. These are the souls to whom God draws near.
Let your heart take hold of this: God draws near to the brokenhearted. He comes to lift up the crushed in spirit. He listens attentively to the cry of the penitent. He is present and active in the hearts of those who mourn their sin and long for righteousness. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness—those who are crushed and contrite—are the ones whom He calls His own.
“John received his vision on the Lord’s Day when he gave himself to prayer and holy duty, hence arises a consideration to God’s church: that God draws near to them that draw near to Him (James 4:8). And so let us humble ourselves and draw near to the Lord by prayer and thanksgiving, and the Lord in mercy will show Himself in sundry ways and draw near unto us.”[1]
Contemplation:
- The Value of a Contrite Heart. God does not despise brokenness; He dwells near to it. In my pride I often try to hide my failures or pretend that I am more righteous than I am. But Scripture teaches me that the broken heart is the one God delights to heal. He honors truth in the inward parts, and it is only when I lay bare my sins before Him that I begin to experience His grace in its fullness.
- Christ Makes Nearness Possible. Without Christ’s mediation, my sin would forever separate me from the holy presence of God. But because He bore my guilt and purchased my peace, I can now draw near. Yet I often neglect this privilege. I live as if He were far off, even though He has drawn near in covenant love. Do I truly honor the work of Christ by seeking communion with the Father?
- The Marks of True Reception. To receive Christ is to receive all of Him: His lordship, His commands, His Spirit, His cross. Many want a Savior but not a King. Yet the one who receives Christ in truth will embrace all of Christ and submit to His will. Am I willing to let go of every sin for His sake? Do I yield to His rule over my life, or do I resist His hand and harden my heart?
- God Chooses and Draws His People. It is astonishing to consider that the sovereign God chooses to draw near to sinners like me. He calls me by name. He brings me low so that He might lift me up. He opens my eyes to see His surpassing worth and grants me a willing heart to love Him. If I find within myself any desire for holiness, any longing for righteousness, it is because of His grace at work. Do I recognize that every step I take toward Him is first moved by His hand?
Prayer:
[Confession to the Father]
Holy Lord and most merciful Father, I come before You confessing that my heart is often far from what You desire. Though You are near to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit, I confess that I too often resist being broken. I cling to my pride. I hide my sin. I speak of repentance but hold back the full weight of my sorrow. I mourn when circumstances afflict me but not enough when I have offended You. I grieve over consequences but not over the rebellion that gave them root. My spirit is not always contrite. My heart is not always crushed by the evil of sin. And yet You promise to draw near not to the proud or self-sufficient, but to those who know they are nothing apart from You.
Lord, I acknowledge before You the sinfulness of my heart. I am corrupt in nature and far too comfortable with my transgressions. The sins I once wept over now feel ordinary. The habits that once grieved me have become familiar companions. I find it easy to confess with my lips but not to rend my heart. I know that a broken and contrite spirit is a sacrifice You will not despise, yet how little I offer You what pleases You most. Forgive me for this dullness of heart. Forgive me for resisting Your Spirit’s work when You try to bring me low.
I know, Lord, that my only hope is in Christ. His blood alone cleanses my guilt. His righteousness alone covers my shame. How often do I live as if I must earn Your love, or as if my sin has outpaced Your mercy? Cleanse me from such unbelief. Remind me that You are drawn to the penitent sinner with compassion and grace. You do not crush the broken—you lift them up. You do not reject the contrite—you dwell with them. Your Word promises that though You are high and holy, You dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Lord, make that true of me.
Strip away my pride. Strip away my self-righteousness. Tear down every barrier that keeps me from full communion with You. I confess that without You, I am nothing. My greatest righteousness is as filthy rags. My best efforts cannot cleanse me. My only plea is Christ. My only hope is Your mercy. My only desire is that You would draw near to me and not cast me away. Cause me to hate my sin as You hate it. Cause me to love righteousness as You love it. Teach me to tremble before Your Word and to rejoice in Your forgiveness.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Thy presence nor take Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Make my contrition real and lasting. Let it not be mere emotion but a true turning of the soul toward You. Let it bear fruit in obedience and worship and holiness.
I know You are faithful. You have promised to dwell with the brokenhearted. So break me, Lord—break me if it means You will come near. For I would rather be crushed in spirit and near to You than lifted up in pride and far away. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness. According to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Psalm 34:18:
Ps. 51:17, 145:18, 147:3; Isa. 57:15, 61:1, 66:2; Luke 6:21.
[1] William Perkins, ed. J. Stephen Yuille, Joel R. Beeke, and Derek W. H. Thomas, The Works of William Perkins (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2017), 374–375.
