the binder of broken hearts

a friend called today to offer encouragement and to give an assignment. "go to God's word, jody. before you listen to anyone else...before you consider even the doctors and their opinions...go to God's word and look up every verse you can find about the heart." 
i wasn't surprised this friend called to offer me this advice...this suggestion.  that very same thought had been rattling around in my own brain for a couple of days... i just hadn't quite found the time to do it. BUT, now with this specific and deliberate phone call...i knew it was time.   
so i sat down this morning with my coffee and my bible. immediately, the word "brokenhearted" sat down with me.  that was where i would begin.  we don't know much about this little girl over in china, but we know she has a broken heart.  "wow, this will be somewhat simple," i thought, "there were only four scripture references listed in my concordance."


psalm 34:18 was encouraging: "the Lord is close to the brokenhearted..." yes, Lord, be close to baby zhang right now. yes. please.


but it was the final passage in isaiah though which struck the chord i needed to hear for this day. consider that Jesus applied these words to Himself....and, what's more,  i know these words apply to how HE loves little zhang:

"He has sent me to BIND UP THE BROKENHEARTED, to

proclaim FREEDOM for the captives and

RELEASE from darkness for the prisoners....

to COMFORT all who mourn,

and PROVIDE for those who grieve...

to BESTOW on them a CROWN OF BEAUTY

instead of ashes,

the OIL OF GLADNESS

instead of mourning,

and a GARMENT OF PRAISE

instead of a spirit of despair...."

~ isaiah 61: 1-3

thank you friend, for that assignment.