THIS IS WHAT COUNTS

READING: PSALM 51:14-19

Verse 17: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart--- These, O God, You will not despise”

It is truly an awesome and spectacular spiritual reality that people are able to bless the Lord. God is holy, righteous, pure, just and everything else that defines infinite goodness. It is completely obvious that people are not holy, righteous pure and just; and that our behaviors and responses do not define goodness. How can we then please God who is so fulfilled as the One who completes every aspect of goodness? What can we possibly give Him that would even begin to constitute a blessing to our God who is already so absolute? Psalm 51 makes it clear that the sacrifice of material goods, mere tokens of temporal value only, are not what He most desires. Instead, we can bless Him with broken spirits and contrite hearts. These, says the Bible, God will not despise. That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What are some characteristics of a broken spirit?

2. What does contriteness of heart add to brokenness of heart?