God Restores The Broken Hearted
BRD REFLECTIONS
Genesis 29; Psalm 24 (NIV)
(Nijendra Mahendra, Chairperson of Prayer & Praise)
READ:
Genesis 29:31-35 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
What caught my attention were Leah’s responses to each of the four sons that she bore:
- “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” (v32)
- “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” (v33)
- “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” (v34)
- “This time I will praise the Lord.” (v35)
From this Scripture passage, we can imagine how Leah felt, not being wanted or desired by her husband, and then the vindication she felt when she gave birth to her four sons. Leah’s responses show the condition of her broken heart and her truest desires. I also observe that it is only after the fourth son that the focus of her gratitude shifts fully to the Lord alone.
My main observations from these Scripture verses are as follows:
- God knows and sees the broken-hearted.
- God restores the broken-hearted.
- God’s full restoration takes time and happens in stages.
- God’s full restoration moves the focus of the human heart from vindication and desire to praise.
APPLY:
As I reflect on my own Christian life and identify with being broken-hearted quite a few times, I praise God for His restoration that has taken place repeatedly in my life. Much of the restoration has taken quite a while, through various stages and, like Leah’s, I obtain complete restoration only when my heart is ready to praise God alone
Many a time, my broken-heartedness was caused by people, but somehow God’s main source of restoration was also through people. I have learnt over the years that sin in people (including myself) can cause much hurt and pain to others but the love of God in people also brings restoration to others.
Some questions that I prayerfully ask myself.
- Do I fill my heart with His love to know and see the broken-hearted in my midst?
- Am I available to bring God’s healing and restoration to others?
- Am I okay to just be a small part in God’s restoration in the lives of others, as He leads through various stages in their healing process?
- Can I help the broken-hearted come to a place where they can truly praise God for complete restoration?
DO:
- Walk closely with Jesus, in prayer and in His word, asking to be filled with His Spirit.
- Pray that I see others as Jesus sees them.
- Be available to others as the Spirit leads me to bring His healing and restoration.
- Be willing to journey with others, to guide them towards His full restoration of heart.
As I do all this, this quote by Nicky Gumbel reminds me that the Lord is near:
“Don’t keep looking at the regrets behind you, the problems around you, and the sin within you. Look up and see the help above you.”
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, thank you for being so close to the broken-hearted. Thank you for your faithfulness in bringing restoration into my life, repeatedly. I pray that if there are areas of hurt and pain in my life that are still not fully restored, please complete these works of healing and restoration.
Even as you restore me, I know you have called me to be a blessing and minister to others. Help me to see as you see, to know as you know, to reach out and bring Your restoration and healing to those that you are calling me to. Help me to be willing and able to prioritise loving you and your people above all else. Thank you for the assurance that you are near, that I am yours and that your joy will always be my strength. Use me Lord for your restoration purposes in the lives of others.
Thank you for hearing this prayer as I surrender my life afresh for your use. Amen.
