Welcome or welcome back. Thank you for coming here. You may have read my previous post but if you haven’t I suggest you go here to read it. Today I’m doing something I never have before. You’re invited to take a three week journey as we anticipate new life – the new kind that Jesus gave us because of what He did on the cross for us. If you’d like to follow along with me on this experience, I’d be more than humbled and glad you’re doing this with me. So, here we go…
“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart; you, God, will not despise.” (NIV)
In the past I’ve read that I should have a broken spirit, and a broken and contrite heart because I’m to come to God with humility. He takes delight more in my heart surrendering to him instead of a temporary sacrifice of giving up a little indulgence I eat or drink. I’m to give MYSELF. It’s only when I “give up my own ambitions and desires, from that death to self, can I be used to produce much for His kingdom”.
When reading David’s cry, and remembering what Samuel said about sacrifices, God wants more of my brokenness than rituals. He wants me to offer Him my whole self – broken and all.
Even though I can feel broken, He sees it differently. He sees the boldness and beauty in the end result. He sees what’s broken healed but it’s hard for me to see that when I’m in the refining furnace. Even though it hurts, and isn’t fun or even understandable, it’s necessary to test my faithfulness in Him. “He refines us through trials and suffering so that when we emerge, we might better reflect His glory to the world.”
We are to give God our broken heart, broken soul, broken-selves as a sacrifice to Him – and to do it with a contrite heart. Contrite means showing sincere remorse. I know I need to offer Him my sincere remorse for not trusting Him, for not believing Him and maybe you do too. Kris Camealy wrote:
“This is the hard refinement, the journey from holey (broken in sin) to wholly (surrendered) to holy. The trials you endure, they are undeniably part of your story – but your life is not just about you – your life is about Christ in you – about the work He can do through you, when you yield to His will.”
It will not be easy. Refinement takes place in a furnace where it’s difficult and even painful. But I’m told that it’s worth it in the end.
I want whatever it takes to become less of myself so He can fill Himself in more of me.
Lord, even though it’s hard to be thankful sometimes, thank you for giving us a broken spirit and contrite heart where we surrender ourselves to you. You did that for us. Your heart was broken when you heard our cries for help so your sent you Son to save us. This journey called life – may it be ones where you work through us to bring you glory. Amen.
Is it easy or difficult for you to have a contrite heart or a broken spirit? Why? Or what came to your mind when you read today’s verses? Feel free to comment below and come back to visit tomorrow.