Broken But Not Defeated

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” Psalm 51:17 NLT

 

When we hear the word ‘brokenness,’ we immediately picture something that can’t be fixed: a wimp, someone with an inferiority complex, or someone with low self-esteem. I’ve held onto these lies for many years. But the Lord has shown me the meaning of what true brokenness is.

According to Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”

I have faced many trials and storms in my life. I received a bill this week that I wasn’t expecting expected. I was a victim of identity fraud two months ago. When I believed everything seemed to be in order, the bank sent me a letter informing me that the money they credited me as a result of the scam was invalid and that I needed to return it. I cried and became angry. I complained to the Lord, telling Him how unfair it was to be held responsible for something I hadn’t done. I was the victim!

The Lord brought Gideon to mind to me today as I read Psalm 51:17 during my quiet time with Jesus. Gideon faced an army and thought there was no way he could defeat them with just a small number of soldiers. God allowed Gideon the opportunity to witness that it would be God’s power, not his own strength or his army’s, that would allow him to win the battle. (See Judges 7:2)

And Jacob, the mighty one who became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. God had to break Jacob of his self-sufficiency before he could become “Israel.”

How about Moses? He is known as the savior of Israel. The prince of Egypt spent 40 years as a shepherd in the wilderness, learning to put aside his pride and submit to God. Only then was Moses able to appear before Pharaoh and perform the miracles that displayed God’s power.

Friends, if you are facing a difficult time, be encouraged. Sometimes, God allows us to face difficulties and even hit rock bottom. And it is in the midst of a storm that we are able to see God for Whom He really is—the God who loves us and created us on purpose and for a purpose. He will restore us to become the person He created us to be after the storm.

We may appear broken, but we are not defeated. “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NLT

Let us remember Paul’s words, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” (2Corinthians 4:8-9)

 

Father, thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Thank You for never leaving me alone when I hit rock bottom. Forgive me for the many times I complain, thinking how unfair it is, and the many times I face a storm. Lord, thank You for those storms, for through them, You are shaping me, pruning me off those pesky things that stop me from truly being who You created me to be. Because You are the rock at the bottom of the pit that sustains me, and You will bring me out with Your power. You are my rock, my redeemer, and the lover of my soul. I love You, Lord! In Your name, I thank you, amen.

 

Reference

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Foundation.