Devotion: Broken
There came a point in my grieving process when I was finally broken. It was awesome. If I were to characterize my heart at that time, I would say it had surrendered control, loosened its grip, and left its stubborn ways behind. It had been crushed by an emotional blow, melted by the tears that followed, and strained of its stigmas, stereotypes, and standards. In those moments, I suddenly felt ready. Ready for what? I wasn’t exactly sure, but I felt an openness to God’s leading that was wider than ever. I was filled with an increased sense of empathy for others. I felt more connected to the people around me, stranger or not. I was broken! In one fell swoop, the words of Psalm 34:17-19 rang true for me:
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
But the Lord delivers him from them all.”
I cried and was heard. I was troubled and delivered. I was brokenhearted and crushed, but the Lord saved me. But these words in Psalm 34 aren’t just for me. They’re for you as well! Through any trial, God wants to refine our hearts. He doesn’t refine them just for kicks, either. Refining happens for a purpose, His purpose. You might see yourself as broken, but God sees you as just about ready!
You are God’s child. You have been redeemed by His Son. You are now caught up in the identity of a perfect and holy God, a God whose hands are upon your heart. With that in mind, look at what your Savior has accomplished for you in Isaiah 61:1-3:
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Though you have been brokenhearted, captive, and a prisoner in darkness, find your freedom in the light of Jesus. Though you have been covered with ashes, the oil of mourning, and a spirit of despair, look to the One who gives you a crown of beauty, the oil of gladness, and a garment of praise. Though you have been broken, you are now made whole in and for the glory of God!
Prayer
Dearest Lord, thank you for showing me how much you love me through this process. Thank you for declaring me free from sin and darkness! Remind me that my feelings of brokenness are a new beginning. Lead me, Lord! Amen.
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