A Broken Spirit

A Broken Spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise (Psalm 51:17)

If you and I have a broken spirit, all idea of our own importance is gone. What is the use of a broken heart? Why, much the same as the use of a broken pot, or a broken jug, or a broken bottle! Men throw it on a dunghill. Hence, David says, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17), as if he felt that everyone else would despise it.

Now, do you feel that you are of no importance? Though you know that you are a child of God, do you feel that you would not give a penny for yourself? You would not wish to claim the first place; the rear rank suits you best, and you wonder that you are in the Lord’s army in any rank at all.

O brothers, I believe that the more God uses us, the less we shall think of ourselves; and the more he fills us with his Spirit, the more will our own spirit sink within us in utter amazement that that he should ever make use of such broken vessels as we are!

Well, now, indulge that feeling of nothingness and unimportance; not only indulge it as a feeling, but go act upon it, and be you in the midst of your brethren less than the least; humble yourselves in wonder that God should permit your name to stand on the roll of his elect at all.

Admire the grace of God to you, and marvel at it in deep humiliation of spirit. That is part of the sacrifice that God will not despise.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

Charles H. Spurgeon – At the Master’s Feet.