N.B.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm51:17NIV

Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. Psalm69:20NLT

These verses show a stark contrast to the happiness of the Christmas Season. The story of the baby Jesus coming as Immanuel is a tonic to dwell on, and it is important, especially as believers, that we do. However, is everyone happy at this time of year?

Make a mental note. Very many people, and some you know, will hide their broken heart behind a smile, and all I am suggesting is that we recognise that struggle, and be that one who ‘would turn and comfort’. Isn’t it good to know that God will not despise a broken and contrite heart?

It has been brought to my notice very forcefully more recently, that humanly speaking some of my friends struggle especially at this time of year, and there are many valid reasons. It makes it worse because their broken heart is polar opposite to the Christmas theme of joy and happiness, but because of that same atmosphere of laughter and fun, it makes it more difficult to express their sadness. The result is that they withdraw (behind their smile).

So, I urge you to be that desperately needed one who takes note and comes alongside to put your arm around a shoulder and say that you care. You care enough to notice, and care enough to pray to a God who came to earth to become the God-Man who understands our weaknesses, flaws and broken hearts. Have a Happier Christmas my friends!

Quiet Time

There are many times we need to have a ‘quiet time’ in the Word of God and prayer. When I became a Christian at an early age, I was encouraged to make a regular ‘quiet time’ at some point during the day. It works because it makes us focus on God more clearly, and not on the other things that are happening around you, and especially those things that demand your personal attention.

Can I suggest there is another kind of quiet time, which is not so positive? I find myself going ‘quiet’ when something troubles me, or needs a lot of thought, or perhaps some kind of action or intervention which I am not happy about. Have you seen that trait in others? Have you maybe even seen it in yourself sometimes? Thankfully, this ‘quiet time’ does not happen often, but that fact alone can make it all the more significant in our life.

When that usually bubbly, chatty, bright friend or family member goes quiet, don’t judge harshly. They are not necessarily being rude or deliberately cutting you out. They may be struggling with a tough situation or circumstance, and are not too sure how to handle it for the best. If you consider yourself to be a trusted friend, let them know gently that you are there for them, and to listen. That’s all that may be needed, a listening and sympathetic ear.

I would suggest that the best listening ear is the one we use in the first kind of ‘quiet time’ above. God is our supreme trusted friend and He is a good listener. Not only that but His words of advice or caution will always be trustworthy. So, when your friend has gone quiet and you don’t feel able to step in and help, then pray for them. And one last, but important thing. Tell them you are praying. That tells the one who is troubled that you have noticed their plight, and are taking it to the highest authority in your own ‘quiet time’.

Moaning and Complaining

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’                Hebrews 13:5 NIV

I am telling you this, but not because I need something. I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens. Philippians 4:11 ERV

Have you spent any time listening to early morning or afternoon radio? In fact pretty much any type of talk radio on any frequency? If so, you will have heard our national pastime of moaning, groaning, and complaining. If it was an olympic sport, we would be the undisputed gold medal winners every time.

Somehow, we are able to see something wrong with just about anything. How about things like: My football team manager doesn’t know what he is doing and I could manage that for him. Or, a woman gets paid less than a man. Or, that offender should be in prison longer, in fact he should die there. Or, that idiot was promoted over me, and everybody knows I am better than him. Or, the new traffic diversion in town is terrible, and my 8 year old could do it. Or, the waiting times for surgery at my hospital are too long and I could organise things better. Enough already. You get the picture.

Paul had more reason to complain that any of us, but he didn’t. I read that he was shipwrecked, badly beaten, left for dead, imprisoned in chains, taken to the country’s highest supreme court for trial. And yet he wrote the words in the verses above. Obviously he able to stay calm and know with assurance that he had something better than anything else that was thrown at him.

Paul was an early Christian, and so his life was in constant danger. Can we say the same thing? Is our life in constant danger? And yet we don’t have the assurance that everything is worth the cost for the eternal glory that is ours. So what do we do? We moan about anything that doesn’t go our way, and tell anyone who will listen. So what was it that kept Paul secure? He said it this way: ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ It was enough for Paul, shouldn’t it be enough for us too??

Broken

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Why do good people suffer stress, and feel down to the point of depression? The psalmist David knew all about the feelings of being broken-hearted and a reading of the whole of Psalm 34 clearly shows his downcast heart. David had a lot to feel bad about, but he still knew that God was ‘close to the broken-hearted’ and can still save ‘those who are crushed in spirit’.

It is fair to say that everyone goes through the dark tunnel of despair at some time. Christians are not immune to this disease of the heart. It can range from a short term period, to a full blown depression caused by who knows what! Do you know someone close who has, or is still going through, a period of darkness? Maybe that person is you. One thing is certain, no one should be ashamed, thinking it is all their own fault. We gladly see our GP for physical ailments, but we are so reluctant to open up about our state of mind. We feel there is a stigma, and our reputation will suffer. Our friends will not look at us in the same way, and might avoid us. If so, they can still be our friends, but they are not true friends.

I love the way the Psalmist inserts the word ‘saves’ between the broken hearted, and the crushed in spirit. Take comfort in this my friend. Our great God saves us in our times of distress. He doesn’t help a little, or give us a smile and a nudge saying it’ll be ok, you’ll see. No, He SAVES us right where and when we need it. In our brokenness. When we can’t face Him, or even feel like praying. I don’t know about you, but this makes me feel like shouting hallelujah! And you? How does it make you feel? The prophet Isaiah says it so well, and it is a joy to read as he foretells the heart of the coming Messiah and our Saviour…..

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour

and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-3