Psalm 34

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, NKJV)

David wrote this psalm at a time when he was very afraid. He was hiding among the Philistines to escape the hand of Saul. But his plan didn’t work out, so he pretended to be a madman to escape from the Philistines! David had nowhere else to turn but to the LORD. And the LORD did not disappoint but delivered David from all his fears (v. 4).

Through this affliction, David discovered the power of brokenness. Often when our plans fail, we yield to temptation, or we react to a situation in an ungodly way, we come to the end of ourselves. Our eyes are opened to see that we are not as holy as we thought! This is the time when we can humble ourselves and cry out to God for His mercy and help. As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who cry out to Him in truth.

“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.’” (Isaiah 57:15, NKJV)

The Holy Spirit is drawn to the lowly heart as water seeks the lowest place. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. When Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount, He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3, NKJV)

Personally, one of the most influential books has been The Calvary Road by Roy Hession. I believe that every Christian should read this. It reveals the power of brokenness and helps us to see the things in our lives that grieve the Holy Spirit and hurt others. There is such power at Calvary to make us more like Jesus! But it begins when in humility we confess our sins and appropriate the blood shed for them at the cross. If you pray for brokenness to be closer to God, don’t be surprised when He answers your prayer!