Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

TUESDAY JULY 21


BE NEAR

READ:
Psalm 34:18
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The LORD is near
to those who
have a broken
heart.
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My friend was going through some difficult challenges in her life and family. I didn't know what to say or do, and I told her so. She looked at me and said, "Just be near." That's what I did, and later on we started talking about God's love.

Many times we don't know how to respond when others are grieving, and words may do more harm than good. Serving others requires that we understand them and find out what they need. Often we can help by meeting practical needs. But one of the best ways to encourage those who are suffering is to be near__to sit beside them and listen.

God is near to us when we call out to Him. "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles," the psalmist says. "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit" (ps. 34:17-18).

By putting ourselves in the shoes of others and allowing our hearts to feel compassion, we can help those who are hurting. We can be near them as God is with us and sit close to them. At the right time, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say, if they are needed. __Keila Ochoa

**Who needs my help or for me to sit alongside them this week?
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The best way to encourage others may be to just be near

**************************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 34:4-18************************
4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me
from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried
out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all
his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD
who trusts in Him! 9 Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There
is no want to those who fear Him. 10 The young lions lack and
suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any
good thing.

11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear
of the LORD. 12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves many
days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do
good; seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are
open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against those who
do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out , and the LORD hears, and delivers
them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to those who
have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Notice the exuberance with which David
celebrates God in Psalm 34. In verses 1-3, the king declares his
commitment to continual praise and invites others to join him in the
celebration. At the root of his exaltation are two great expressions
of God's care__His answers to your prayers (vv. 4-6) and His protection
and provision (vv.7-10). These take on such great value to David
because he recognizes his own weakness, marked by his fears (v.4)
and his sense of personal emptiness ("this poor man, "v.6). God's
rescue in the face of such realities is cause for celebrations.