Someone to turn to

David wrote much about being broken in his psalms. He speaks of the proximity of God to those who are broken : "The sacrifices that are pleasing to God is a broken spirit : O God ! you do not despise a broken and contrite heart" (Psalms 51:17). "The Lord is near those whose hearts are broken, and saves those who have spirit in dejection" (34:18).

What incredible promises our Lord has given to those who have broken mind. He promised to dwell with all who were broken and to revive their hearts.

There is a physical breakdown that is the result of human despair. I am talking about the loss, the emotional suffering, the anguish that arise from physical afflictions. But the breaking of which we are speaking here is not this human despair. It is a spiritual break.

The best image of spiritual brokenness is found in Luke 19. In this passage, Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt.

"As he was approaching the city, Jesus, seeing it, wept over it, and said," If you also, at least on that day which is given to you, you know the things that belong to your peace ! But now they are hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19: 41-42).

What was the source of the agony of Jesus ? We are told that Christ "came to his own, and his own did not receive him" (see John 1:11). Jesus wept : "If only you would accept the things I told you ! That would have brought you My Peace, My Blessings, My Hope and My Purpose for your lives."

This is the difference between us who found our refuge in Christ and the multitudes who are lost : they have rejected Him who could save them. But all believers know that there is Someone to turn to. We have a source from which we can go to obtain strength and comfort, because we believe that Jesus is indeed the One He claims to be.

David Wilkerson