(Day 15) Seeking God Through His Word, Prayer, and Fasting

Isaiah 57:15 & 1 Peter 5:1-7

Whenever something we have breaks, if it can't be repaired, we throw it away or it's used for recycled, spare parts. Since childhood, we've all experienced the disappointment of broken things. From our toys to our techie devices, our computers and cars; we know that things break. It means a lot to us when our favorite things can be fixed; it means that we can continue to enjoy them. Those that are handy, eagerly look through the scrap piles of junk to find what's broken, hoping to be able to salvage, restore, and repair what's been discarded.

Just like many give up on things that they determine to be broken or useless, people are often written off as being damaged beyond repair. Children are told that they will never be anything by angry parents and weary educators, marriages end because of hopelessness, and many other situations where there are broken people.

When it comes to people and the things we love, brokenness is not a good thing; but when it comes to God, brokenness is the state that He is drawn to. We are stubborn by nature, we want what we want. Our fleshly appetites that reside within us long to be satisfied with the sinful pleasures of this world. We have a sinful nature that wants to live life on our own terms and not have to answer for it. "Living selfishly to satisfy me," is what drives many; and we were once in that same mindset. God has to break us down, to build us up. The Lord asked, Is not my word like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29). It takes the Word of God to break up our stony hearts. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).

We read in Isaiah 57:15, For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabitheth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

The great, exalted God that sits over the universe in glorious power has His dwelling in eternity where time can't contain Him. Yet He tells us that He also makes a home with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit (verse 15). The word "contrite" in the verse means broken, beaten small or trodden down. God is describing for us what eternity is like when He says that it's a high and holy place and He sits enthroned above all of creation. But when He says that He dwells with those that have been smashed by the weight of sin and shame, He's showing us His desire to move in to the hearts of the broken.

It's important that we take our brokenness to God because an inappropriate approach to repair our brokenness will lead to further damage and danger. God is drawn to those that are of a contrite and humble spirit. When we hand our brokenness over to God, He works in us the spirit of humility, where we exude lowliness and unworthiness. The outworking of humility through us makes us more thankful as we realize how blessed we are that the high and lofty One has come to dwell within our hearts who are so underserving.

When God moves in, He brings blessings with Him for the purpose of raising us up. He comes to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. God wants to re-energize us and breath new life in us who may be worn down under a load of care. He wants to help us to lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees (Hebrews 12:12). Out of the broken places of our lives should leak forth our soul in surrender and submission to God. God desires to gather up all of the brokenness of your experiences and skillfully create a new you. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

Our brokenness should bring us to the end of ourselves where we acknowledge our need for Him. The Word tells us to be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you (1 Peter 5:5-7).

From the heart and hand of Pastor Reginald Reaves