THE LOST CONCEPT OF BROKENNESS

 

Have you ever met someone who seemed to never be able to consider the idea that they might be wrong?  Now, before you point fingers, all of us are like this from time to time.

 

I am reminded of a story about a very stubborn man who always thought he knew more than anyone else.

 

Henry Nelson, of Wilmington, Delaware, was a veteran of World War II. He had served as an instructor in the Army Chemical Warfare Department. Yet because he thought he knew more than anyone else, he ignored a warning by the superintendent of the Riverside Housing Development that the apartment he lived in was being fumigated with hydrogen-cyanide gas.  The story is told that he ignored the danger signs that had been posted, tore down the barricade at the door and went in to the building because he wanted two blankets.  He was an expert on Chemical warfare, so he knew more than anyone else.

The neighbors saw him ignore the signs, remove the barricade and go in, and they called the Development office. But when employees arrived, Nelson lay sprawled on the living room floor with the two blankets in his arms, having died because of his stubborn pride. Despite both written and verbal warnings, and despite his training in the Army, he thought he knew better.

 

The Bible has several examples of similar behavior.  Consider, if you will, David, King of Israel.  In 2 Samuel 11, we find that King David fell into sin because he was unable to resist his lusts.  God had made it clear that adultery is not acceptable and that it would cost David more than he was willing to pay, but David apparently knew better than God.  After all, he was King.  So, while his army was off at war, he was back at the palace looking at naked women bathing on a nearby roof and throwing wisdom to the wind, he acted out his lustful desires.

 

After committing adultery, the woman, Bathsheba, becomes pregnant and David rather than confronting his error compounds it by having her husband, one of David's most trusted soldiers, killed.  He thought he had gotten away with his sin.  He thought he had pulled one over on everyone, maybe even God.  But we know that could never be.  Sure enough, your sins will find you out.

 

Nathan, the prophet, was sent by God to confront David about his errant behavior and the confrontation is recorded in Chapter 12.  The short of it is: David soon discovered that he has underestimated God.

 

Most scholars agree that Psalm 51 is David's heartfelt confession of his sin which follows this confrontation with the man of God.  It is hugely instructive because it gives us keen insight into the heart of real repentance (Something we could stand to see more of in our day).  Psalm 51 is an insight into brokenness

 

Psalm 51

 

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done part

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then Make me to hear joy and gladness; will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

 

If we are going to understand brokenness, its relation to sin and its relationship to the child of God, we need to understand something of the process by which sin is managed in this life.  How do we deal with sin?

 

The process of sin:

 

First, there is the

Commission of sin, then

Confrontation of the truth of our sin

Contrition/Conviction regarding sin

Confession of sin

Capitulation regarding failure against sin

Companionship with Him who conquered sin

Confidence in His power over sin

Conquest over sin

 

It is critical that we get an understanding of this process.  Brokenness is not just about shedding tears, it is about real repentance and renunciation of sin.

One of the most critical of all these phases of dealing with sin is the confrontation, contrition, confession and capitulation part of the process.  It is this part of the process where we have to make some serious decisions.  It is in this phase that a person decides to remain unrepentant or to be broken.  It is during these phases where the man or woman becomes stiff-necked and fails to yield to the truth of their sin, or they surrender to the reality of God's will and become broken and surrendered to His will.

 

I suggest to you that it is here that more than one person has become defeated, discouraged and stagnated in their path to spiritual maturity.  Brokenness is not attractive to most and they often stagnate rather than press on toward spiritual growth.

 

Today, I ask you to consider this vital, but often ignored subject of brokenness before it is lost on you as it has been often lost on me in times past.   I plead with you as one who has endured being broken.  Be honest with yourself and God and let Him take you through this process.  Once a person has experienced real brokenness, he cries out for others to know that brokenness.  It causes you to see an even greater comprehension of the grace of God.  I want to see real renewal and revival among God's people in my life-time.  I long to see God's people casting themselves before His mercy in complete surrender.  You cannot imagine the agony of having such a desire to see God do something so wonderful knowing that He can and He will, if we are only willing to rediscover this lost concept of brokenness.