Five Minute Friday: Broken

It's Five Minute Friday, and I haven't written anything since the last one.  This week has flown by!  Here is goes:

Broken.

I love the Psalms.  One of my favorite Psalm is Chapter 51.  This is a Psalm that David wrote when he was confronted about Bathsheba.  He sinned.  He was separated from God, but He knew God's mercy well.  After appealing to God's mercy, he asked God to create in him a clean heart and renew the right spirit within him (verse 10).  

This whole passage is rich in brokenness.  Verse 16 &17 say it well:  Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered.  Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.  (from the Message bible)

I particularly like this version of these verses.  Though the Message bible is not my go-to source for bible study, I find it helpful in illustrating the Word.  

The English Standard Version (my regular bible) says it like this: For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

What I love about this passage of scripture is that David, one of the most influential people of the bible, one of the most recognized names in biblical history, was like us.  He sinned, recognized he was separated from God, and came to him with the sacrifice of a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.  

I have always said I most relate to King David because he was all over the place in his faith.  Highs and lows.  I understand that.  But, I also understand that He was "a man after God's own heart".  I can't tell you how many times I find myself broken, feeling shattered by the weight of my sin, by the jealousy, envy and strife that continually pop their heads up in my life.  But, I can say that every time I come to him broken, he restores me.  I don't look beautiful and whole without cracks on the outside, but I know that I am beautiful, whole and without cracks in my heart.  He mends the broken places, if we will lay them down at his feet.

Let me encourage you to do that today.  Whether you've never laid your life down at his feet, or you've done it a thousand times.  Do it again today.  I know I am.  

Father, I come before you, broken.  I know you make beautiful things from brokenness.  I repent for the things that keep me from walking in unity with you, God.  I repent for the sins that go against you, your character and your love for others.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.  Thank you, Father, for loving me and mending those broken areas of my life.  I praise you, for you are good.  In Jesus Name, Amen!