Today's Devotional Thought
December 13, 2018 by Rachel Piferi
Brokenhearted
Has anyone ever broken your heart? Maybe it was a romantic relationship. Maybe it was one of your children. Maybe it was a friend. But has someone ever promised anything to you and then betrayed your trust? And then left you brokenhearted?
I imagine Joseph felt that way.
I know what it feels like to feel as if someone has betrayed you. It hurts a lot to feel as if someone has taken your devotion and your love and your commitment and disregarded it. It hurts a lot to think someone would just toss your relationship away in pursuit of another.
When I think about Joseph, my heart breaks for him in the moment he found out Mary was pregnant. Scripture says he was a righteous man and I imagine he must have felt quite betrayed to find out his soon to be wife was having someone else's child. He must have loved her very much, even in the midst of the perceived betrayal, to choose not to retaliate against her but instead divorce her quietly.
We know the whole story so I think we have a tendency to race right past what Joseph must have felt when he found out Mary was pregnant. I'm sure his heartbreak was real. I'm sure he was confused and angry and sad that his future was going to be altered by her betrayal. And I'm sure his pain needed God's touch.
Now, we know that an angel came in a dream to Joseph and "cleared everything up." And we know that Joseph chooses to stay with Mary and raise Jesus as his own. But let's not forget that for a moment, Joseph was heartbroken and betrayed. He was confused. And likely felt alone.
Psalm 34:18 tells us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. And I know the Lord was close to Joseph as he walked his part of the Christmas story. I believe God comforted Joseph and strengthened him. And I believe God took great care with Joseph's heart to help him walk in the plan He had for him. What God asked Joseph to walk through was hard and it was emotionally challenging. Even after the angel appeared to him, there would still be much for Joseph to endure as he watched Mary have a child that was not his own and as he started his family with her in a culture that did not tolerate infidelity. And I believe the Lord honored Joseph's obedience by walking every step of it with him. Oh how beautiful to think of God loving him, strengthening him, and healing his heart as only He could.
Are you brokenhearted this Christmas season? Do you feel let down or betrayed by a loved one? Please know the Lord is near. He sees your pain and He has not left you alone. Oh how He loves you and walks with you through every season of heartbreak. And He has good for you on the other side of whatever your season of heartbreak looks like. Trust His love and His plan sweet friends and let Him bring salve to your soul as you walk this road. He can restore your heart like He restored Joseph's. And He can bring you such comfort and peace. Stay close to Him and let Him heal you. Let Him love you. Let Him bring you peace.
December