Broken - Then Revival

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-- these, O God, You will not despise."

Psalm 51:17

If you were described as having "fallen to pieces" or that you experienced a "complete breakdown," would it paint you in a positive or negative light?  We hate to be seen without makeup and are embarrassed to be seen as weak.  When our emotional or physical capacity overflows and we collapse in a heap, it does not present the independent, tough, and resilient persona this world values.  If a team leader was "breaking down" regularly under the pressure of business we would suggest that person should take a break.  This passage written by David in response to his sin reveals a very different picture, how a broken spirit and contrite heart are acceptable in God's sight and not to be ashamed of.

Think of the many sacrifices which people in scripture delighted to offer God.  They brought Him gold, silver, precious stones, money, expensive fabrics, first-fruits of flocks, herds, and produce.  Their generosity was likened to that of a king, and the children of Israel when preparing for the construction of the tabernacle were told to stop giving because too much had already been received.  In the end it wasn't about what was given or how much which God took notice of but the condition of the hearts of sinners who approached Him.  All the gold and gems in the world are no substitute for a shattered soul over guilt of sin and a heart which has been broken into pieces and repents in sorrow.

When this verse was spoken last night during prayer at church, I went to the back of my Bible where under various headings I have listed relevant verses.  The importance of humility before God struck me as I turned to Psalm 138:6-7:  "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me."  Then I looked up Isaiah 57:15 to read God's voice blasting like a trumpet:  "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."  These verses made clear the necessary connection between humility, brokenness, revival, and abiding in the presence of the Almighty God.

We prefer to have leaders who appear strong and impervious to pressure, but God is not taken in by this outward display:  He looks at the heart.  He brings about circumstances to break us, not to ruin us because pride and arrogance have ruined us already.  When we fall to pieces before Him in repentance and humility that is when the Holy Spirit fire falls.  We do not earn the privilege but when we submit in faith to the will of God in our brokenness He hears, heals, and revives.  Many people look upon the power of God with desire, but it is the contrite heart which is granted the capacity to wield it with the fear of God and trembling.  How precious humility before God is!  And beyond great is our God and worthy to be praised for putting on human flesh and saying as the cross loomed before Him to the Father, "Not my will, but Yours be done."  Before His body was broken on Calvary the sacrifice of His broken heart already had been offered and accepted.

See the risen LORD Jesus!  If we will be revived and raised to newness of life, there must be breaking.  We tend to fight this rather than surrender to it.  This is not the good fight, brothers and sisters, to build a fortress around our hearts to hide how broken we actually are.  When heaviness grips our hearts and a contrite tear spills from our eye a great battle has been won.  Let us fall to pieces before our LORD so He might heal and restore us.  I am not aware of any therapeutic value of crying alone, and what can our tears change?  But when a broken heart cries out to God, He will hear and answer according to His perfect will.  The sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit is an offering everyone can bring.  It is not the rich but the poor in spirit who are granted the kingdom of heaven.