A Hymn for Hurting

A while back, a friend undergoing a physical trial said she was really hurting. And she wasn't talking about her physical pain. She was talking about the emotional struggle of coping with a physical ailment on top of spiritual and other needs.

The conversation was a reminder that there is a place of deep discouragement we've all gone to and perhaps visit often. It's a dark place that can rival the anguish of physical pain.

Scripture gives us insight on what to do when we're in the midst of spiritual battle like this: draw near to God and resist the devil (James 4:8).  Scripture also gives us insight on what happens when we're too weary to resist and it's too dark to do much else besides hurt: God draws near to the broken-hearted and He saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) Either way, we win.

And of course, there's a hymn that reminds us of another place we can go that is far different from the dark places we may find ourselves. It's a place of quiet rest that is near to the heart of God. 

Near to the Heart of God

by Cleland Boyd McAfee, 1903

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where we our Saviour meet,
Near to the heart of God. (Refrain)

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God. (Refrain)