April 18 - Blessed are the Broken-Hearted

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 20,21; Psalms 34; Matthew 5

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
You’ve heard about the thrill of victory followed by
the agony of defeat, but for those who follow Jesus,
victory often follows defeat! 

We again see incredible congruity today with our readings. The sermon of Jesus in Matthew 5, starting with the beatitudes, is remarkably similar to David’s lessons on fearing God from Psalm 34, which he wrote while he was hiding from Saul in Gath, a story recorded in 1 Samuel 21. One of several lessons to be learned from these intense passages is how God seems to bless us the most during the most difficult times. I recently had a conversation with a newly appointed leader who has come through the same thing – a new lease on life arising out of what seemed to be a near-death experience. It happens so often it has a name, “death of a vision”, and I’ve experienced it several times myself.

Why do so many Christian leaders, in Bible days and today, have to come through trials before God pours out His blessing? That question seems especially appropriate right now. We just went through the Easter season with its fresh reminder that the death-to-life process is at the very heart of the gospel. Jesus modeled for us how you snatch victory out of defeat, and triumph over death with eternal life!

David went through 18 years of hell on earth between his anointing and his appointment as king. That may have been why he was able to stay humble and close to God throughout his 40 year reign. Saul, on the other hand, quickly moved from anointing to appointing to a meteoric rise in power and popularity, seemingly without struggle. That may have been a reason why he succumbed to pride later on and the self-destruction that always accompanies it (Prov. 16:18).

“Lord, today I apply Your promise: The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Ps. 34:18) and Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3).”