Photo from: Pixabay
I’ll admit, this idea hit me when I misheard the lyrics to “First” by Lauren Daigle. I thought she was singing: “before I bring my need I will break my heart.” The line didn’t quite make sense, but I was convinced that’s what she was singing, and then I read this verse:
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.”
–Psalm 51:17
Could it be that the Lord values our brokenness? That a worthy sacrifice in His eyes is our hearts –broken? It sounds sinister, but we know our Lord is good.
It follows then, that the Lord’s desire for our broken hearts is the same as the Lord’s desire for our good. A broken heart can be a blessing. A broken heart can glorify God.
Earlier, in Psalm 51:10, we read the much loved line:
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Could it be that this heart is one in the same at times?
David exemplified this as he wrote this Psalm. It was written when David was confronted about his adultery with Bathsheba. Convicted and mourning his sinfulness and its consequences (like his son’s resulting death,) David chose not to turn from God. He chose not to mend his grief with proof that he could be worthy again if he tried.
Instead, David offered the Lord his broken heart. It was through that sacrifice that David’s heart was made clean again and that His joy was returned. Through that sacrifice and brokenness, David was given a willing spirit again and could experience and witness the Lord’s true forgiveness.
When our hearts are broken, something is exposed and made vulnerable. What’s inside the heart (though formerly fortified) becomes available for change, healing, and growth. In fact, the healing work of redemption is nothing without there first being a need for the healing and the redemption.
When we break open our hearts (or have them broken and hand them to the Lord,) it is a sacrifice on our part. It’s a sacrifice of dignity, of a sense of control, and of our pride. To sacrifice our broken hearts to the Lord is to say: “I won’t try to fix this my way, but I will it to you for your glory and your glorious work.”
It is praise to the Lord to offer Him our broken hearts as sacrifices, because we’re offering for Him to freely correct, clean, and rebuild us as He pleases, to His glory. It is a putting aside of all the gunk we have in our hearts to return our hearts to their maker. When your heart is breaking, let it be a blessing and a praise.
This post is being shared on: #LifeGivingLinkup #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #Intentionally Pursuing, #WomenWithIntention, and #TellHiStory.
Oh, wow. This is so good! David chose not to try to prove he could be better. I need to work on this both for myself and with my children. Thank you for your words. Glad I’m your neighbor at this week’s Rah Rah Link Up.
I do too Liz! Thank you for the encouragement! I’m glad we were neighbors, too : )
THIS: When our hearts are broken, something is exposed and made vulnerable. What’s inside the heart (though formerly fortified) becomes available for change, healing, and growth. In fact, the healing work of redemption is nothing without there first being a need for the healing and the redemption. YES! And thanks for a lovely blog site… #RaRaLinkup
Thank YOU Sheila! So encouraging to me : )
I have found that when my heart is broken, all that I have kept bottled inside releases & there is more room for God to fill me back up with exactly what I need. Grateful to have stopped here this morning! Blessings!
What a wonderful picture, Joanne! Grateful you stopped by and shared -that idea will stick with me : ) Blessings!