I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me

What is Brokenness?

Introduction

A cursory check in dictionary tells us that brokenness means a lot of things – “fractured”, “reduced to fragments” “out of working order”, “not functioning properly”. If we choose to the cup half empty, these are the terms that will fill our minds. However, when we choose to see the cup half full, we begin to understand that brokenness is also needed in our lives. When we speak of brokenness, we are referring to spiritual brokenness. In the next four to five lessons, we will be dealing with brokenness and the benefits.

Main Verse:

Main Points

What does the world say about brokenness?

• In this world, broken things are despised and thrown out. Anything we no longer need, we throw away. Damaged goods are rejected, and that includes people. In marriage, when relationships break down, the tendency is to walk away and find someone new rather than work at reconciliation. The world is full of people with broken hearts, broken spirits and broken relationships.

What does the scripture say about brokenness?

• Psalms 34: 18 tells us that “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”. There is something about reaching a breaking point that causes us to seek the Lord more sincerely. King David was once a broken man, and he prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me… The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (
  Psalm 51:10

  Verse text not found

  , 17).
• To us, broken things are despised as worthless, but God can take what has been broken and remake it into something better, something that He can use for His glory. Broken things and broken people are the result of sin. Yet God sent his Son, who was without sin, to be broken so that we might be healed. On the night before He died, Jesus broke the bread and said, “This is my body, which is broken for you.” His death has made it possible for broken, sinful humanity to be reconciled to God and be healed. Without the broken body of Jesus, we could not be made whole. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (
  Isaiah 53:5

  But he {was} wounded for our transgressions, {he was} bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace {was} upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. {wounded: or, tormented} {stripes: Heb. bruise}

  ).

Why do we need to be broken?

• There are some things in our lives that need to be broken: pride, self-will, stubbornness, and sinful habits, for example. When we feel our brokenness, God compensates: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (
  Isaiah 57:15

  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 ones.

  ).
• The Bible says that God breaks those who are proud and rebellious. The mighty Pharaoh set himself against God, but God broke him and freed His people from bondage and shame. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high” (
  Leviticus 26:13

  I {am} the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.

  ).
• God punishes all those who proudly resist Him. “My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit” (
  Isaiah 65:14

  Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. {vexation: Heb. breaking}

  ).

Memory Verse:

Conclusion

Only when we surrender to Christ can we be restored and transformed. But such surrender requires brokenness on our part as our memory verse,