Psalm 147:3The Lord who heals the brokenhearted is also the One who counts the stars and calls them all by name (147:4). Our great and powerful God is also full of mercy. It is when we are broken for our sin that we understand God’s grace and praise Him.
There are many kinds of broken hearts. Hearts are broken through disappointment. Hearts are broken when loved ones die. Hearts are broken in many ways. But Christ is good at healing all kinds of broken hearts. “Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Christ heals those whose hearts are broken for sin. Some waste many years of their lives living without God. They forget the God who has blessed them. When our hearts are broken because of our sin, Jesus forgives and heals us. He shows the greatness of His power and wisdom by helping those who are in despair. He delights to set those who are burdened free.
It takes great wisdom to comfort a broken heart. We are unable to do it. Only God can heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.
Who is this One who heals the broken in heart? Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” (Luke 4:21) Jesus was sent by God to heal the brokenhearted. He left heaven to come to earth to heal the brokenhearted.
Jesus had a broken heart and so He is able to comfort us. “Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.” (Psalm 69:20-21) Jesus cried from the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) In all our distress He too was distressed (Isaiah 63:9). He was tempted in every way just as we are (Hebrews 4:15). “A man of suffering and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3).
Jesus is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray. Jesus has been healing broken hearts for thousands of years! No one has ever come to Jesus and been turned away because their condition is too bad. Jesus never refuses anyone who comes to Him (John 6:37). He is mighty to save.
The human heart needs more than human skill to heal it. There is only one Person who can heal our hearts and He does. He is doing this work now. Jesus is still healing the brokenhearted. His power and patience never run out. He still heals. We are never too old to be saved. No one has ever come to Jesus with a broken heart that He did not heal. We go to the doctor sometimes and they tell us there is nothing they can do for us. Some sicknesses are incurable. But Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25).
Psalm 147 begins and ends with “Praise the LORD.” God is to be praised because He heals the brokenhearted. None of the gods of the nations were ever praised for this. They cannot heal the brokenhearted. Only God, the Maker of all, can heal the brokenhearted. He delights to save those who seem hopeless.
