August 4, 2021 | Brokenness
Since the fall of mankind into sin, a certain brokenness has entered the world that affects every human being. No one can claim that they are unblemished, without cracks in their armor. In fact, the brokenness of the world has become our most obvious attribute. All caused because we have chosen to separate ourselves from the loving arms of our Creator.
My wife and I are blessed to be able to work with the foster care system in this country and welcome kids from broken families into our home. Each one has their own stories of heartache and trial. Each one comes with their own brokenness caused by the hardships they have been forced to endure.
Some of these ordeals happened because the things of the world had overwhelmed their families. Others happened because of choices brought on by temptations the world, by way of Satan, so freely taunts us with.
Its easy to get lost in this brokenness, to succumb to the bombardment of worries and anxieties that too frequently greet us. It takes effort to overcome, especially if we choose to do it alone.
Even devoted Christians can succumb to brokenness. Too often we feel like failures, unable to fend off the devil’s attempts to break us. It’s at these times that we need to take a step back so that we may realize that God has a plan for the broken.
“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume… it is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” (Sermoncentral.com)
God used a broken Adam to bring on humanity. He used a broken Noah, a broken Abraham, a broken Moses, a broken David, and a broken nation to pave the way to Jesus. He used broken disciples, broken Pharisee’s and broken kings to bring people to the truth, and he uses us broken people to continue His work today.
Better still, God has promised us a way out of our brokenness. He sent His Son so that our brokenness no longer had to define us. He sent us His Son so that we would never have to face our trials and temptations without His presence to help guide us to peace.
Psalm 34:18 reminds us that, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” He does not desert us when times get tough. On the contrary, he offers us His strength to overcome and His people to help us through our valleys in life. God, “Heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
He simply asks that we trust Him to bring us out of our brokenness to a place of understanding and grace. Proverbs 3:5-6 give wise advice urging us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Does this mean that all brokenness and trial will end if we just trust God enough? Sadly, no, because our fallen nature has made that impossible. But it is a promise that you will never have to endure your brokenness alone. It Is an assurance that there is a way to mend up the wounds that the world inflicts on us.
“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15).
Yes, we are all broken. We all have been shattered by the world in our own ways. We have all given into the temptations laid before us. But we don’t have to surrender to this brokenness. God has offered us, through His Son, a way out of our brokenness. He Hs offered us peace through repentance and forgiveness, and He has promised us more heavenly treasures than we could ever imagine.
So, when you get lost in your brokenness, know that God is there at your side to mend your broken heart and heal your troubled soul. Surrender your whole mind, body, soul, and strength to Him and let Him lead you to greater things. Please pray with me:
Heavenly Father, thank you for never leaving us alone in our brokenness. Help us to depend on you to lead us to peace, and use us to remind others that your love for them is as great and your promises are as true for them as they are for us. Amen.
