Week 30 - Abiding When the Heart is Heavy | Greg Broussard | Psalm 34:15-19 | August 23, 2026

Full Sunday Morning Bible Class including; lesson of the day, discussions, questions and answers. Speaker: Deac. Greg Broussard

Text: Psalm 34:15–19

Tension: Hidden pain vs. honest nearness to God

Formation Outcome: Honest dependence

Grounding Questions:

•  When you are hurting, do you usually draw near to God or withdraw from Him?

•  Why do people sometimes feel pressure to appear strong when they are actually broken?

Expository Teaching:

Psalm 34 is traditionally connected to a vulnerable season in David’s life, when he was delivered from danger. The psalm is not written from the perspective of someone who has never suffered. It comes from someone who has learned that God is near even when life feels unstable.

The passage repeatedly emphasizes the Lord’s attentiveness:

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous…”

“His ears are toward their cry…”

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted…”

This is crucial for the ABIDE theme. Abiding is not only remaining close to God when life is peaceful. Abiding also means refusing to hide from God when the heart is heavy.

The text does not deny affliction. In fact, verse 19 says:

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous…”

The righteous are not exempt from trouble. But trouble does not mean God is absent. The psalm teaches that God’s nearness is not proven by the absence of pain, but by His faithful presence within it.

The tension is between pretending and praying, hiding and crying out, managing pain alone and bringing pain into the presence of God.

A broken heart does not disqualify a believer from abiding. A broken heart may actually become the place where we experience God’s nearness more deeply.

Group Discussion Questions:

•  What does this passage teach about God’s posture toward the brokenhearted?

•  Why is it important that the text says the righteous still face “many afflictions”?

•  How can the church become a safer place for people to bring their pain honestly?

•  Where do you need to practice honest dependence instead of silent endurance?

MacDonald Ave Church of Christ, Richmond, CA Sunday Morning Bible Class, August 23, 2026 (Rev.1)