Benefits of Brokenness

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite one. -- Isaiah 57:15

What do you think about the possibility of being able to dwell with the God of the universe, the One who is Holy?  I think of the song "Better Is One Day" and how the lyrics say that better is one day in God's house than thousands elsewhere.  My prayer is that every day I would want to be with God more and to know Him better than the day before. 

But how do we draw near to God anyway?  We can't physically see or touch Him as we can everything else in our lives.  We can't physically hear Him either.  The way we get close to God is by humbling ourselves and acknowledging that we are indeed nothing compared to Him.  We must have a broken spirit.  We must have a contrite, or repentant spirit - a spirit that is pliable in His hands, willing to sacrifice our own wants and desires in conformance to His will.  It is with that kind of spirit that we most often seek God.  It is with that kind of spirit that God's Word says will draw us close to Him.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. -- Psalm 51:17

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. - Psalm 34:18

For me, a state of brokenness is an interesting place to be.  It is a challenge to remain "broken" all of the time.  After all, we are also suppose to be joyful Christians too, right?  Being a Christian is hard work!  I suppose that is why all of our relationships with God ebb and flow from time to time.  Some days we feel closer to God than other days.   Maybe that is because things get going well and we forget how much we need Him, thereby losing our brokenness. 

Can we be joyful and broken and humble and repentant all at the same time?  Yes. Remember, that being humble, broken and repentant doesn't mean that we must walk around with a somber look on our faces all of the time.  Humility is seeing ourselves in comparison with who God is. Seeing who God is, in all of His attributes should put a smile on our faces.   He is our light in the darkness and our salvation unto eternal life.  His lovingkindnesses are bestowed on us all of the time, even if we don't see them because we are too consumed with ourselves to notice.  Our brokenness and repentance will lead us to God's Holy place, where He promises He will be with us and revive us.  Now that is something to smile about, even if it means checking our egos at the door.

Dear Father, I thank You so much for who You are, not only to me, but to the whole world as I know it. Forgive me when I try to go my own way before first asking for Your guidance.  Help me to always keep your magnificence at the forefront of my mind, remembering that You are God and I am not. Lead me in this life to the Holy place where you dwell.  Amen.