The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and
a contrite heart. - Psalm 51:17
When I was a young boy, a few of my friends had fathers who led their families in daily
Bible reading and never missed a church service. But I also knew that some of them were
proud, tyrants at home, ruthless in their business dealings, and heartless toward people
in need. Although I was young, I knew this kind of hypocrisy did not please God.
I was grateful that my father and several other men I knew modeled true faith and
humility. They were quick to admit their wrongs and treated others with compassion. They
obviously saw themselves as unworthy recipients of God's wonderful grace.
In Psalm 51, David expressed his deep sense of guilt and his desperate need for God's
forgiveness and cleansing. As he grieved over his sin, he came to the Lord with the
sacrifice of "a broken and a contrite heart" (v.17). When David thought about
God's love, mercy, and grace, he was filled with gratitude and praise.
If we recognize the seriousness of our sin, we too will come to the Lord with the
sacrifice of "a broken and a contrite heart." As we consider what Jesus did for
us on the cross, taking the full punishment for all our sins, then we will be overwhelmed
with the wonder of grace.
-HVL
The Lord is drawn to broken hearts
And saves each sin-sick, contrite soul.
With healing touch His grace applies,
And makes the wounded spirit whole.
-Bosch
Spiritual wholeness begins with a broken heart.