N.B.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm51:17NIV

Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. Psalm69:20NLT

These verses show a stark contrast to the happiness of the Christmas Season. The story of the baby Jesus coming as Immanuel is a tonic to dwell on, and it is important, especially as believers, that we do. However, is everyone happy at this time of year?

Make a mental note. Very many people, and some you know, will hide their broken heart behind a smile, and all I am suggesting is that we recognise that struggle, and be that one who ‘would turn and comfort’. Isn’t it good to know that God will not despise a broken and contrite heart?

It has been brought to my notice very forcefully more recently, that humanly speaking some of my friends struggle especially at this time of year, and there are many valid reasons. It makes it worse because their broken heart is polar opposite to the Christmas theme of joy and happiness, but because of that same atmosphere of laughter and fun, it makes it more difficult to express their sadness. The result is that they withdraw (behind their smile).

So, I urge you to be that desperately needed one who takes note and comes alongside to put your arm around a shoulder and say that you care. You care enough to notice, and care enough to pray to a God who came to earth to become the God-Man who understands our weaknesses, flaws and broken hearts. Have a Happier Christmas my friends!

Broken

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Why do good people suffer stress, and feel down to the point of depression? The psalmist David knew all about the feelings of being broken-hearted and a reading of the whole of Psalm 34 clearly shows his downcast heart. David had a lot to feel bad about, but he still knew that God was ‘close to the broken-hearted’ and can still save ‘those who are crushed in spirit’.

It is fair to say that everyone goes through the dark tunnel of despair at some time. Christians are not immune to this disease of the heart. It can range from a short term period, to a full blown depression caused by who knows what! Do you know someone close who has, or is still going through, a period of darkness? Maybe that person is you. One thing is certain, no one should be ashamed, thinking it is all their own fault. We gladly see our GP for physical ailments, but we are so reluctant to open up about our state of mind. We feel there is a stigma, and our reputation will suffer. Our friends will not look at us in the same way, and might avoid us. If so, they can still be our friends, but they are not true friends.

I love the way the Psalmist inserts the word ‘saves’ between the broken hearted, and the crushed in spirit. Take comfort in this my friend. Our great God saves us in our times of distress. He doesn’t help a little, or give us a smile and a nudge saying it’ll be ok, you’ll see. No, He SAVES us right where and when we need it. In our brokenness. When we can’t face Him, or even feel like praying. I don’t know about you, but this makes me feel like shouting hallelujah! And you? How does it make you feel? The prophet Isaiah says it so well, and it is a joy to read as he foretells the heart of the coming Messiah and our Saviour…..

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour

and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-3

Broken Altars

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 1 Kings 18:30

Every time the children of Israel strayed from God their altar would be neglected and fall into disrepair. And each time God became real to them again, and they walked in His steps, a prophet would step in and repair it. The altar was an important place of sacrifice, and a good barometer of the state of the people of God. Broken altar, broken people. Repaired altar, a restored people walking in step with His will.

We often apply the image of the altar to the state of our hearts as God’s people and that is a good way for any individual to know where they stand with the living God. A broken altar is a sign of an incomplete or wayward man or woman. When the altar of the heart is repaired and in good condition, our life will reflect the will of our Heavenly Father.

Every church has an altar area, usually where communion is served, or infants are baptised, weddings consecrated, or even funeral services are conducted. It is a holy and sanctified place where we feel God near to us in a sacred way as we make promises and vows before Him and the congregation. If the altar of the church is broken, or unused, it can be a sign of spiritual decay.

Not so many years ago, the altar in a church was also the sacred place where the repentant sinner would kneel to confess sin, and take Jesus as Lord and Saviour. For that to happen, there would have been a gospel message of salvation, and an invitation from the pastor or preacher. Many churches and evangelists did this, and used mightily in bringing many to salvation in Christ.

Is it too simplistic to make a connection between churches with an unused, broken altar, to a church of broken people needing spiritual repair? Could this also be the reason for low or no growth? Like Elijah, we may need to repair the altars that are broken, both in our hearts and in our churches. If not that, what? And if not now, when?

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Broken and Contrite

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart  you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17 NIV

God does not look down his nose when He sees our feeble attempts as we try to do what feels good for us in this life, but all the while only succeed at making everything worse for ourselves, and those around us. Even those we love dearly. We are fortunate to have a God who loves us in spite of ourselves, and “...while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. Of course our God is not only a God of Love, He requires justice too. Micah 6:8 says: “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” So let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

When we get into trouble, yes even of our own doing, God will step in when we show two essential characteristics in our heart. Our heart must be ‘broken AND contrite”. We have all suffered from a broken heart, and God knows we have. That alone is not enough to make the sacrifice God Needs. He needs us to be contrite too. This means expressing remorse and guilt at our sin. We need to show repentence of our wrongdoing, even while we are broken. Not easy, and certainly not possible to fake before a Holy God.

When we have a broken AND contrite heart, and only then, will our God, our Abba Father, step in and accept our sacrifice. That sacrifice will NOT be despised, but it must be full and genuine. Not a pale imitation, and not a lie. So, no matter what has broken your spirit, take it to God in earnest prayer, and mean it. He will not let you down, and your heart is guaranteed to heal, slowly but surely. We have God’s Word on it. I like this promise, because let’s be honest, we have all suffered from a broken heart at some time in our life.