Brokenness

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalms 51:16-17 (NIV)

On the final day of the year, let’s explore what moves the heart of God. You have had 365 days to allow God to use you for His glory. You have experienced the ups and downs of living in a fallen world. Each day was filled with challenges and opportunities. Each day presented you with decisions to make and answers to seek. The year may have tested your faith and strengthened your resolve. What did you learn about moving the heart of God?

In the 51^st Psalm, David clarifies how God desires for His children to respond to Him. Sacrifice and burnt offerings are insufficient. External religion will not move the heart of God. God delights in His children exhibiting genuine brokenness. When we come before God broken over our sin and desperate for His approval, we move His heart. God desires that we seek Him in humility and brokenness. We do not impress God with our external righteousness and religion. God examines the heart to test our motives. God is moved when we acknowledge our dependency upon Him.

Have you been broken before the Lord lately? Have you had a contrite heart? David poured out his soul in anguish before God over the sin in his own life. Personal responsibility for our personal sin will be evidenced by our personal brokenness before the Lord. God’s compassion will be unleashed as you pour out your soul before Him in prayer. Pray that God will keep you broken before Him as you live in this fallen world. We need Him every minute of every hour of every day. Confess all known sin and allow God to prepare you for this New Year. Release the past and embrace the future God has for you!

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell