When we hear the word “broken” our thoughts probably conjure up a negative image.  Something that is broken is usually not wanted and is considered useless to us.  When talking about a person, someone who is described as broken is usually in dire straits and at a precarious point in his or her life. No one wants to be “broken.”

In God’s dictionary however, brokenness is a crucial characteristic for a Christian. In Psalm 51:17, David’s Psalm of repentance, after he was confronted by the Prophet Nathan, being convicted says in honest surrender-  “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise”.

•  In Psalm 34:18 David again brings to light the reality of his God being close to him in his low point- “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

• Additionally in Isaiah 57:15, the Prophet said: “For thus says the high and exalted one who lives forever, whose name is Holy. ‘I dwell on a high and holy place and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” 

• Jesus said; ‘the Kingdom of Heaven’ is for them. Jesus said Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Who are the “poor in spirit?” Those who are Spiritually broken. 

Spiritual brokenness is very important to God. But what is spiritual brokenness? First let me tell you what it is not. 

It is not walking around with a gloomy frown on your face wailing “woe is me.” It is not looking bitter like you just got through sucking on a sour lemon. It is not living aimlessly without a purpose or a plan. But it simply means, understanding the fact that without God you are spiritually bankrupt.  It is coming to a point of  dying to self and giving Him the reins of your life.  Surrender and brokenness go hand-in-hand – spiritual brokenness leads to  surrendering your will to Him.