Useful When Broken

BY REV GOH YONG KUANG

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” PSALM 51:17 (ESV)

In the past, things were made to be long-lasting and durable.  If broken, they can be easily fixed and re-used.  Nowadays, many things are not built to last and once broken, they are discarded or thrown away.  It is cheaper and more convenient to replace a broken item with a new one.  Welcome to the “throw-away” world! 

While we find no use in broken things and throw them away, God never, ever uses anything or anybody until they are first broken.  The Bible contains examples of things which become useful when they are broken.  For instance… 

•  The expensive ointment would not have served its purpose if Mary had not broken the alabaster jar to anoint Jesus’ feet with it. (Mark 14:3)

•  The paralytic man would never get near to Jesus and receive His healing touch if his friends had not broken the roof to lower him down through it. (Mark 2:1-5) 

•  If it were not for Christ’s body which was broken for us, we would have no salvation. (1Corinthians 11:24)

One of the reasons why David was such a man of God and whose heart was after God’s, is because he was willing to come before his God, feeling totally remorseful of his sinful actions and humbly sought God’s mercy and forgiveness. 

God desires a broken and contrite heart in us too.  No amount of external sacrifice can substitute an internal, heartfelt remorse for sin and a humble reliance on the grace of God.  The sacrifice that is acceptable to God must begin not with our offerings and services, but with our hearts!   

The God who came to redeem us can take our broken and ugly hearts motivated by anger and bitterness, selfishness and pride, and turn them into beautiful hearts generated by love and grace, joy and gratitude!

Also, God can use broken and imperfect people like us to accomplish His perfect work.   He uses the meek and lowly, the weak, the shamed, the hurting, the discarded, and those considered useless and rejected by the world.  He chooses to use what the world considers inferior for His superior purposes!   Yes, one truly becomes useful when broken!

PRAYER: Father in heaven, Your Word reminds us that You resist the proud and give grace to the humble.  Give us a humble spirit and a broken and contrite heart so that we can offer sacrifices that please You. We ask this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen!