Broken Things
Broken things. God uses broken things over and over in the Bible.
““I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick;””
Ezekiel 34:16 NKJV
Everybody has a misstep, a stumble, even a fall.
“Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.”
Genesis 9:20-21 ESV
But God:
“he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
Titus 3:5 ESV
Take King David. All the battles, defeating Goliath, anointed king, all the great things he did in the name of God, a true hero of the Bible.
“Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.”
II Samuel 11:2-4 NKJV
Not only did David sleep with Uriah’s wife but, David got her pregnant and then had her husband Uriah killed.
But God:
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
I Timothy 1:15 NKJV
Jacob straight up lied.
“So he went to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.””
Genesis 27:18-19 NKJV
But God says:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
The Bible is full of stories of broken people that God used to do great things.
Saul persecuted Christians
Moses murdered an Egyptian and had a stuttering problem
Peter denied Christ and had a temper
Rahab was a prostitute
Thomas was a doubter
Jonah ran from God
And the list goes on and on. The fact is God is full of Grace and Mercy.
God doesn’t call the qualified; God qualifies the called. God makes wonderful beautiful things with our broken pieces and the ashes of our lives.
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
We worry about not being enough, but God’s grace fills those gaps. We are reminded that it’s through our weaknesses that His strength can shine even brighter.
It’s in the cracks of our lives that God’s grace seeps through. When we lean into His grace, we can find the courage to continue moving forward, understanding that our shortcomings do not keep us from being blessed by Him.
“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.””
Isaiah 61:3 NKJV
In moments when we feel undeserving due to our mistakes, we should remember that God sees value in every one of us. Our brokenness doesn’t diminish our worth in God’s eyes. Instead, it can be a pathway to understanding His tremendous grace and love for us. We can realize that even in our imperfections, God has a purpose for our lives. Through our painful experiences and struggles, we can find comfort in the fact that God isn’t looking for perfect people; He is looking for willing hearts.
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”
Jude 1:24-25 NKJV
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
In Jesus Name – Amen
- Pastor Doug
