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 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.

In Hiding?

Fact 1 There are many people in prison for doing bad things, and the only reason they are there is because they were caught or found out.

Fact 2 There are many people free in society (and church), still doing bad things, but haven't been caught (yet).

Numbers 32:23 - “You may be sure that your sin will find you out.”

Galatians 6:1 - “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

Feeling smug because you are not one of these people who have been caught? Or proud because you think you have never sinned? Either way, you show yourself to be out of the Spirit of the Beatitudes. Perhaps we should always be aware that, “There but for the grace of God, go I.” The verses quoted above show that we are all liable to sin, and therefore be caught in sin, but as Christians should we not be as good in the restoration of a contrite soul, as we are in talking about them, and condemning them?

I love the verse in Romans Chapter 8:1-2 which says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” To me that means a sinner, that's all of us, through contrite repentance, can be fully forgiven by a loving God, who will not condemn us. Psalm 51 tells us, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” (I think the key words are, 'contrite repentance'.)

Is it not our collective, compassionate, Christian duty to try to do the same?