BROKENNESS

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. —Psalm 51:17

Most of the time when we break something around the house we throw it away as trash— broken dishes, broken mirrors, torn clothes, broken toasters, etc.

However, God uses broken things.

It takes broken soil to produce a crop; broken clouds to give rain; broken kernel to grow sheaf of wheat; broken grain to make bread; broken bread to give strength. It was the breaking of Jacob’s thigh that changed him to be the prince of God. It was Gideon’s broken pitchers that gave forth light. It was a broken alabaster box that gave forth it’s fragrance. It was Christ’s broken body that gave forth His cleansing blood.

God uses broken lives when they are brought to Him. He puts them back together again and uses them for His glory that no flesh may glory in His presence.

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you” (Mt. 11:29). Being a carpenter, Jesus knew all about wooden “yokes.” Yokes were used to couple two oxen or colts together to pull a wagon or plow. However, before a yoke could be used the animals had to be broken. Yokes were never placed on an unbroken colt. When Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you,” He was implying our wills must be broken and yielded before we can be used of Him. As A.W. Tozer said, “It is doubtful whether God can bless an man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”

Remember, God’s breakings are God’s makings. Breakings are often blessings in disguise.

Psalm 34:18— The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.