This morning as I was enjoying my quiet time with the Lord, I read Psalm 34 and verse 18 stood out to me: "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." I have always been encouraged by this verse because it is a comfort to know that God is near me when my heart is broken and hurting. But this morning as I read the verse and meditated upon it, a new thought struck me. Perhaps the cost of drawing near to the Lord is a broken heart.
How many of us are willing to sacrifice and endure suffering and trials, which will cause our hearts to be broken in order to be near to the Lord? How many of us live our lives in such a way that honors Christ at the cost of our comforts---at the cost of our ease---at the cost of our hearts being broken??? So many of us want to be near the Lord, but so few of us are willing to pay the price and count the cost. Yes, our hearts will be broken here on this earth, but will be full of joy and happiness in Heaven; we will bear the weight of taking up our crosses now, but the pleasure of resting in His presence then forever; and we will experience loss below, but far, greater gain above. Drawing near to the Lord hurts---broken hearts brings great pain, but in the end it will be more than worth the pain we experienced for such a little while. Knowing that it will be worth it does not make it easier though, nothing makes it easier, but Christ makes it possible.
Draw near to the Lord, sacrifice comfort and ease, be willing to suffer and go through trials, cling to Christ, and fix your eyes on the goal. The cost is great but the cause is greater, the suffering hurts but the reward is worth it, a broken heart seems to much to pay but drawing near to the Lord will cost you something. We cannot serve both God and comfort---it must be one or the other. Serve the Lord with me---draw near to Him and count the cost.
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