Brokenness

Brokenness

When things fall apart, the broken places allow all sorts of things to enter, and one of them is the presence of God.

Shauna Niequist

I am close to the brokenhearted. There are days when you echo Job’s words: “My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My heart’s desires are broken” (Job 17:11). You feel as if the life you once enjoyed is falling apart and there’s no chance of getting your joy back. But brokenness is the essential condition for My presence. It’s the opposite of arrogance and pride. “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God” (Psalm 51:17).

Brokenness is your humble, obedient response to the conviction of My Spirit or My Word. It changes a critical spirit into a compassionate spirit. Sin is confessed. When brokenness shatters your will, you look to Me for help and guidance. I delight in healing the brokenhearted and in bandaging their wounds (Psalm 147:3). Brokenness is not weakness. It’s coming to the end of your self-life and entering into a sweet intimacy with Me. The reward is My presence above you, under you, and around you. Bask in My closeness. I am here.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 34:18