A Broken and a Contrite Heart

 I believe I have tried to live a life that is pleasing to God ever since I was saved at age 14. Of course, I have failed in so many ways over the years. It has been a growth process of overcoming temptations on one hand and learning how to serve Him well on the other hand. Now that I have reached my 70th year and my life has changed with Chris going to be with the Lord, I just want to finish my course well and be faithful to God to the end.

David sinned very badly, but he really desired to be restored in his relationship with God and in his ability to serve Him well. As he confessed his sins to God, he realized something that might help us, too. (Psalm 51:17) "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." We might want to do things that please the Lord, but we need to make sure that our heart is right first.

A broken heart is not just when we are sad about a broken relationship or the loss of a loved one. A broken heart is when we are devoid of pride. It is when we are broken before the Lord because we realize our limitations and His greatness. We kneel before the Lord and admit our great need for His mercy and grace. Then God is able to lift us up and use us since we are moldable at that point.

A contrite heart is a heart full of shame because of our sins and our failings. It is when we feel sorry for our sins, but we not only feel sorry, we do something about it by repenting and doing the right thing. God will never despise that kind of offering to Him. He will see it and answer it. I am trying to have a broken and a contrite heart right now, so God will hear my pleas and show me how He wants me to proceed. It might  be what you need to do, also.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 52-54.