There are a lot of different ways that we could define the meaning of brokenness. But I want to specifically talk about being broken before the Lord.

 

Isaiah 57:15 NKJV

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

 

This scripture points to two specific locations where God lives:

 

1. “I dwell in a high and holy place, "

2. "but also with him who has a contrite and humble spirit," - This is a state of brokeness.

 

God's primary purpose for living there is:

1.To revive the spirit of the humble,

2. And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

 

Psalm 147:3 NLT

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

 

Brokeness is an awareness of our dependence on God’s grace and mercy.

 

Brokenness describes a state of realization, a consciousness

 and acknowledgement of our limitations and inadequacies

outside of the help of God.

 

This means that when you come to a to point in your life where you are

aware and you are conscious of the fact that unassisted by the grace, the mercy and the help of God, there are heights you cannot achieve -  it's called brokenness.

 

The Bible lets us know in psalm 51:17 that the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart.

 

There is a kind of person that God cannot avoid. When God finds a man who is broken and contrite in heart and spirit He does not have the ability to ignore such a man. 

 

Brokenness, in God’s eyes, is being so crushed by the sin and darkness of the world that we recognize there is no place to turn but to God.

 

 *Isaiah's brokenness* 

 

Isaiah 6:5‭-‬7 ESV

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

 

When the prophet Isaiah had an encounter with the Lord, he acknowledged his brokenness. Isaiah’s example of recognizing his sinfulness before God encourages us to confess our own sin. His picture of forgiveness reminds us that we, too, are forgiven.

 

When we recognize how great our God is, how sinful we are, and the extent of God’s forgiveness, we receive power to do his work. 

 

 *Jonah's brokeness* 

 

Following his rebellion against Gods instructions, Jonah was thrown overboard then swallowed by a big fish.While in the belly of the fish, we see how Jonah was broken before the Lord and was ready to submit to God’s will and purpose for him. His hard heart had been humbled by God’s mercy toward him. 

 

Jonah 2:2 NLT

He said, "I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and LORD, you heard me!

 

 *Nineveh's brokeness* 

 

Jonah 3:6-10 NLT

When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. [7] Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: "No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. [8] People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. [9] Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us." [10] When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

 

When Jonah proclaimed God’s word,  the king of Nineveh stepped down from his throne and humbled himself. Despite the wickedness of the Ninevite people, they understood God’s message and knew what they should do. They repented immediately.

 

After the king's display of repentance and brokenness, God responded in mercy by cancelling his threatened punishment. God forgave Nineveh, just as he had forgiven Jonah. He will always show compassion to anyone willing to seek Him.

 

 *David's brokeness* 

 

Psalm 51 is a profound unashamed

declaration of a man's helplessness and his inadequacy in the face of God's power, holiness, grace and mercy 

 

David, a warrior with his band of mighty men. David, the greatest king to ever reign over Israel. Yet despite all the accolades, the attribute that matters most to God in David’s life was brokenness. 

 

God never called Abraham a man after his heart, He ever called Moses - who spoke to God face to face, a man after his heart. 

 

This was a title that God carved and gave to David as a gift for the depth and the extent of his brokenness. David was known as a man after God’s own heart as a result of his awareness of his need for God’s mercy. 

 

(Acts 13:22 NLT

But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.')

 

Countless broken sinners have found in these words in Psalm 51 an exquisite expression of their deeply felt need for God’s mercy and forgiveness.

 

 *The Prodigal son's brokeness* 

 

One of the great examples of brokenness is found in Luke 15 that illustrates a wayward son who came home in a state of brokenness. His repentance and humility caught his father's attention who embraced him with open arms.

 

Luke 15:18-24 NLT

I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, [19] and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."' [20] "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. [21] His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' [22] "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. [23] And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, [24] for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.

 

 *The Pharisee & Tax collector* 

 

Luke 18:10-14 NLT

"Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not like other people-cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! [12] I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.' [13] "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' [14] I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

 

The Pharisee went to the Temple not to pray to God but to announce to all within earshot how good he was. The tax collector went recognizing his sin and begging for mercy. His brokenness caught God's attention.

 

No matter how much spiritual activity you are involved in, if you lack the ingredient of brokenness, you can never have an intimate relationship with God. 

 

Self-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride, causes a person to despise others, and prevents that person from learning anything from God.

 

 *No Condemnation* 

 

Brokenness is not self condemnation for the Bible tells us in  Romans 8:1 NLT

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

 

 *Prayer Points* 

 

 _Unity in the spirit_ 

 

Yesterday, during the church service that I attended, the speaker shared some things that resonated with what I am sharing today, and I edited the notes to reflect some of his comments.

 

As we gather together in prayer, we are called to create atmospheres of unity in the spirit. It's an opportunity to unite our broken stories with God's Spirit.

 

Psalm 133:1‭-‬3 ESV

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

 

When we unite ourselves with God's Spirit: 

 

1. The anointing oil is released 

2. The refreshing dew is accessible 

3. Blessings are received 

 

There is an old hymn we used to sing called "I need thee every hour," which illustrates the power of brokenness. We need Him every hour and every season.

 

You cannot imagine how easy your christian experience would be when you remain a broken vessel before God, constantly aware of your limitations and inadequacies outside of the mercy and the help of God.

 

 *1.Personal revival* 

 

God wants a broken spirit and repentant heart. God is pleased by this kind of humble repentance.

 

 

Father, I come before you in humility, brokenses, and repentance. Holy Spirit, search and purify my heart. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. You said that if your people, who are called by your name, will humble themselves and pray and seek your face and turn from their wicked ways, then you will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and will heal their land. (Psalm 51:17 NLT,

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)

 

 *2.Thirst for the Holy Spirit* 

 

Brokenness will lead you to a state of yearning for God's presence. Only God can fulfil that kind of hunger and thirst, and He gave us The Holy Spirit as a gift.The highest privilege you and I have is fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Through humility and brokenses, we become aware of His presence.

 

When it has to the business of brokenness, as you seek the Lord, you will get to a point in your life you are not looking for things, you are looking for Him. He becomes your treasure and priority.

 

When you truly become broken, you

get to a realm called Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 

When we are crucified with Christ, it means that we agree to surrender to Jesus every dimension of our lives—our goals, plans, ideas, and even relationships to the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit.We live a life of surrender to the author of life.

 

Our self-centered way of life ends, and our new Christ-centered way of life begins empowered and led by the Holy Spirit.

 

Now activate the truth of God's Word by speaking these declarations over your life.

 

 *Prayer* 

 

Heavenly Father,  I desire to have an encounter with you.... I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more, with cravings in my heart can't be described. Such that yearning grips my soul for you, my God! I'm energized every time I enter your heavenly sanctuary to seek more of your power and drink in more of your glory. For your tender mercies mean more to me than life itself. How I love and praise you, God! Daily, I will worship you passionately and with all my heart (Psalm 63:1-4 TPT)

 

"Lord, You paid a price for me to be filled and flooded with Your Holy Spirit. Fill me to overflowing. Have Your way with me. ."

 

"I declare that my body, soul, and spirit are under the influence of the Holy Spirit."

 

"Today, I give God permission to intoxicate me with the Holy Spirit, filling me with righteousness, peace, and joy!"

 

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill me completely with joy and peace because I trust in him. Then I will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT

 

 *3.Pray for one another* 

 

There fragrance of brokenness on any man will always capture God’s attention.

 

The tax collector’s prayer of brokenness in Luke 18 should be our prayer because we all need God’s mercy every day.

 

Have you submitted your broken story to God? There is no shame in acknowledging that you are incomplete outside of the assistance of God. 

 

He will meet you where your broken story is, not to harm you, shame you or condemn you but to make a better narrative.

 

Perhaps you are struggling in any area of your life, habits you have been trying to break, a marriage that is facing challenges, relationship issues with children, a work situation or a business that is struggling. Whatever the situation you are facing, do not let pride keep you from admitting that you need help. 

 

Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 NKJV

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

1 John 5:14‭-‬15 ESV

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

 

Just raise your hand as a sign of your brokenness. It is the stretched out withered hand that receives healing. (Matthew 12:13 TPT Then he turned to the man and said, “Hold out your hand!” And as he stretched it out, it was restored, exactly like the other.)

 

Saints, let us begin to saturate the atmosphere with the aroma of prayer as we pray for one another. 

 

Psalms 141:2 NIV 

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.