“…..a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair…..” ~ Isaiah 61:3
Brokenness. There are many things that break our heart. An unexpected crisis, the loss of a loved one, a dream not realized or a desire not fulfilled. A hurting comment, painful and slow recovery, a trying relationship, a disappointing failure or unreached target. When we have lost something precious, been cheated, abused, insulted, humiliated or when we made a mistake we cannot undo. It can be having to toil unendingly, a tragedy that wounds, a trust betrayed, an unaccomplished goal or a covenant relationship defiled.
Brokenness shatters us from within. We feel so devastated. We feel like our life has come to an end… broken into so many pieces, it’s hard to pick them up and begin life all over again. We feel it is hopeless and feel like giving up.
But God…
But God is always there so we can turn to Him in our brokenness. It’s comforting to know that God is there to help us move on ahead from where we think we cannot go further. God understands how we feel.
Psalm 51:17 says, ‘My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.”
God does not despise us when we are broken. Instead when we trust Him and surrender our lives to His control, in loving care, God turns our brokenness into something beautiful.
Beauty from Ashes
He promised in Isaiah 61:3, “To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Amplified Bible
Prayer
“Dear Lord Jesus,
I come to You. I have nothing other than my brokenness to offer You. Lord I surrender my life to You. I believe You can make something beautiful out of it. Just as the potter takes the clay that has lost its form and shapes a new pot out of it, mould me once again, I pray. I need to feel Your touch. Please intervene in all the areas of my life where I have felt desolate and hopeless. You are the Lord of my life. Let Your Light shine on me and drive all the darkness away forever. Have Your way in me, Amen.”