Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 9, 2012
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Intimacy with God goes hand in hand with your brokenness. Your desire for intimacy with your heavenly Father will be accompanied by brokenness, as it escorts you into intimacy with eternal God. It is your date with destiny. A broken and contrite heart delivers intimacy with the Almighty. Do not despise your broken condition. Rather, delight in its opportunity for intimacy. You long to know Jesus in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering (Philippians 3:10). These prayers were not in vain. Your brokenness is answered prayer. The answer may not be exactly what you expected. You may have anticipated a smoother route, a paved road free of bumps or pot holes. But the path of a personal and intimate relationship with Christ is not always easy.
Most of the time, intimacy requires difficulty. It is at this point of pressure and discomfort that some people disembark the train of intimacy. It is much easier to talk about an intimate relationship with Christ than it is to arrive at this point through brokenness. This however, is an exercise in convenience. It is like placing a “Do not disturb” sign on the door of my life, in place of the “Clean up my room” invitation. Brokenness is inviting God to come in and cleanse your life. He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks (Revelation 3:20). When you invite Christ into your broken life, He comes in. Intimacy is then unleashed on His terms, not yours. It is only when you surrender in total desperation and total dependency on God that you experience authentic intimacy.
Intimacy with God through brokenness is not unlike what you experience in relationships with people. Hardship and brokenness are meant to allow you to grow closer to other people. A crisis will either drive you further away from someone or closer together. God’s best for you is to make you relationally stronger with one another during a season of brokenness. But brokenness is not a one-time phenomenon. It is an ongoing part of the committed Christian’s life. It’s not as if you swallow this hard pill one time and are set for a lifetime of intimacy with God. Once God has marked you with brokenness, you are positioned for Him to build on this firm foundation. He will still use mini brokenness’s throughout your life. These regular occurrences are bricks of brokenness’s connected together by the cement of his grace.
Over time, a life of brokenness’s becomes a stalwart structure of sanctification designed by God. Your brokenness is meant for your betterment. Indeed, you are much the better when you experience a defining moment of brokenness. It deserves your embrace, rather than your rejection. If you fight brokenness, you delay God’s best. You circumvent intimacy with Christ if you bypass brokenness. Focus your energies on changing yourself, not your circumstances. Christ will handle the circumstances while you adjust your attitude. A life of brokenness’s is an invitation to intimacy. His closeness and salvation are worth this time of brokenness. Don’t buck brokenness. Instead, rely on Him and get to know Him at this deeper level of intimacy. You are much better broken because brokenness leads to intimacy with God.
Taken from June 8th reading in the 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God”… http://bit.ly/bQHNIE
Post/Tweet this today: Bricks of brokenness connected together by the cement of God’s grace. #brokenness #grace
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Thank you for this Rhema word of encouragement. It provided and on-time response to my, “Why, Lord.”. God bless you.
I have experienced a defining moment of brokeness accompanied with mini brokeness’s but they never felt so mini but so needed to further my growth. I now appreciate vulnerability in the face of brokeness as it pushes us to step out of our comfort zone. Just when I thought God couldn’t teach me anymore about pride then wham He’s not done yet.
This very evening I had to go before my God with brokenness of heart in order to get my life right with Him. So your post was exactly what I needed to confirm what I did.
I don’t thank you enough for all the encourgement that you give to me through your writing. I do appreciate you taking the time to post.
Your friend in Christ
Bonnie
This is a timely subject. Some times it is hard to reach out to some one who is hurting over an internet and be sure that you have helped them. Thank you for this bit of wisdom. I will share it with a friend in need. God bless you and your wisdom.
What a great word. I have often fought those times of brokeness and viewed them as weakness on my part, but I need those times in order to better understand who God is – His strength, His wisdom, His love and mercy. In those times I always discover something new about my Heavenly Father.
Well said, Gloria. Thanks for the note.
Thank you Sara, I’m honored the Lord used this in your life.
Thank you Bonnie, I’m honored the Lord used this in your life.
God is using you and I thank Him for you. I cannot count how many times I’ve been scrolling through my e-mail or have deliberately gone there in search for a particular day’s devotional and have been met by God there. Several times I have sat in my room with my mouth gaped open at the AWESOMENESS of God and how He, Almighty, Sovereign God took the time to speak a very specific word through you to me. God bless you and may you continue to seek and follow His will!
Janiece – It is exciting to hear how the Lord is speaking to you. Thank you for your encouragement.