Repentance (Part 3), A BROKEN AND CONTRITE SPIRIT
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Repentance (Part 3), A BROKEN AND CONTRITE SPIRIT
From: Martin M Overfield
Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2000
Repentance (Part 3)
A BROKEN AND CONTRITE SPIRIT (OR HEART)
"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth
such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:18). "The sacrifices of God
are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not
despise." (Psalm 51:17).
This aspect, or fruit, of repentance flows from having a godly sorrow
for sin. We might even say that it is the height, or perfection, of godly
sorrow. One who is truly repentant will become broken and contrite.
This element is missing in the shallow so-called "conversions" of many
today.
Let's briefly consider what these words BROKEN and CONTRITE mean.
In Psalm 34:18, BROKEN means "burst". As a water bottle, or maybe
even a balloon, bursts when punctured or dropped on the concrete, so is the
heart or spirit of the repentant one to burst from sorrow for sin. CONTRITE
in this same verse means to be "crushed as powder". Then in Psalm 51:17,
BROKEN means "to crack in pieces" and CONTRITE means "to collapse".
(Strong's Dict.)
These words express a depth and reality of repentance that goes far
beyond the "crocodile tears" and the fleeting artificial emotionalism that
many
experience these days. This heart-rending, spirit-pulverizing, brokenness
and contrition are evidence that the seeking soul really is sorry for his
sins
and realizes that only by the mercy of God can he find the proper remedy
for his lost condition.
Now let us consider the promises contained in the verses quoted above:
"The Lord is nigh ... and saveth such ...". NIGH means that the Lord
is NEAR to such a one. Think of it, God has promised to be near to
those who are truly broken and contrite. Furthermore, He promises to
SAVE -- "to free or succor" -- them. He WILL save or free them from
the sins about which they are broken; He WILL succor, HELP or relieve
them, from their lost condition. "A broken and a contrite heart, O God,
thou wilt not despise." When David prayed these words, he was saying
that God would not despise, disesteem, or disapprove, of the heart that
would come to Him in such a condition. The words are stated negatively,
probably because the truly broken and contrite will many times have
trouble believing that God would ever have mercy upon them. Hence,
God will NOT DISAPPROVE! He will accept their repentance, forgive
their sins, and receive them into His everlasting arms!
Oh that souls would humble themselves and become broken and crushed
before God NOW for their sins! For if they will not, referring to Himself
as
the Foundation Stone, Jesus warns, "And whosoever shall fall on this stone
shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to
powder."
(Matthew 21:44). Let all who are sinners repent and "fall ... broken" upon
this Rock, Christ Jesus!
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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