“For thus says the One Who is high and lifted up, Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”” Isaiah 57:15 ESV
The High and Holy One looks down upon man with tenderness and compassion. Though He hates sin, He desires to save man from sin. He does not create man in want of them figuring all things out on their own. He is not a God Who creates and abandons. He is Loving, Compassionate, and Mercy.
The problem is never on God’s side, but our own. We desire to perceive God in the way that we want Him to be. Whether to our carnal benefit (in living out our fleshly desires) or to try and believe that “God is evil” (an uneducated excuse made by those unwilling to submit to God), we continue down the path of hurt. This hurt is self-inflicted because we are self-righteous. The harm done is self-induced because we are self-seeking individuals who naturally do not want to bend our knee to God.
Not following in the Way of God, not obeying His Word, not keeping oneself from what God has told us not to do (which is always for our benefit), and not being honest with who we are and our viewpoint of God is what leads to unnecessary suffering.
This is important to understand, as many in the world are hurting. Many have pains and are suffering. Their suffering (though very real and at points outside of their control) is many times self-created. Not following in the Way of God, not obeying His Word, not keeping oneself from what God has told us not to do (which is always for our benefit), and not being honest with who we are and our viewpoint of God is what leads to unnecessary suffering.
Many sufferings could be prevented in our lives, had we listened to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and His prompt warnings. Sadly, many go in the way that they desire to go, only to end up in ruin throughout the process. Though God sees all, His Healing, Saving Hand is specifically towards those who are broken-hearted over their sin and are burdened with a contrite heart.
When conviction comes, we have only two choices: we either respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit or we repel the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
When conviction comes, we have only two choices: we either respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit or we repel the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
God is Merciful and Patient. He desires to extend His Mercy to all. The tragedy is many are not broken over what breaks God’s heart.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 ESV). God is Merciful and Patient. He desires to extend His Mercy to all. The tragedy is many are not broken over what breaks God’s heart.
Multitudes will stand up and fight for morality. They will demand justice be done for others, while they themselves neglect an honest evaluation of their own hearts. They are those who demand everyone else to change but themselves. They see the depraved state of everyone else and neglect their own. In the midst of commanding others not to judge, they judge others who have chosen to follow God.
Multitudes will stand up and fight for morality. They will demand justice be done for others, while they themselves neglect an honest evaluation of their own hearts. They are those who demand everyone else to change but themselves. They see the depraved state of everyone else and neglect their own. In the midst of commanding others not to judge, they judge others who have chosen to follow God.
Those who desire the things of God, but not God directly, will continually have a veil over their hearts.
This is to no surprise. For the ways of this world are tempting, deceptive, misleading, and manipulative. “But their minds were hardened. To this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed” (2 Corinthinas 3:14-16 ESV). The days of today are similar to the days of Moses. Those who desire the things of God, but not God directly, will continually have a veil over their hearts. They will blind and block themselves from truly experiencing God simply because they neglect the call to repent of the corruption that lingers within; namely, sin.
We know that “None is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10 ESV). We all like sheep have gone astray. The difference between a sheep that runs away and the sheep that remains is found within the heart. A sheep who desires the world shall run off, only to be distanced further away from God. Though a sheep can be as a prodigal son and come back, many do not want to go back to their Master. In running away, they are torn to shreds by wolves in sheep’s clothing.
The sheep that remains, however, is the one that understands without his Shepherd, he knows not the way, has nothing, will not be taken care of and protected, and, in the end, will suffer and die.
Many would rather go their own way and be destroyed by their own way, rather than coming to God with a broken and contrite heart.
Solomon was right when he declared, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJV). From Moses’ day until now, many want to be wandering sheep. Not only momentarily, but entirely. Many would rather go their own way and be destroyed by their own way, rather than coming to God with a broken and contrite heart.
The true born-again believer will be broken over their sin, as they are renewed and restored under the Blood. They will not make excuses. They will allow the full blow of conviction to have its place. In return, they will live in the Peace, Joy, and Hope of Christ Jesus.
God promises that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 ESV). “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17 ESV). The true born-again believer will be broken over their sin, as they are renewed and restored under the Blood. They will not make excuses. They will allow the full blow of conviction to have its place. In return, they will live in the Peace, Joy, and Hope of Christ Jesus.
Many call on God in the midst of their suffering, only to seek deliverance to once again go astray and in their own way. The true born-again believer, however, will call upon God in Truth. Based upon God’s Word, they will admit they are a sinner. They will not be prideful. They will not seek to live on the basis of their own morality and authority. For they know that ““God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”” (James 4:6 ESV).
This is why “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in Truth” (Psalm 145:18 ESV). Many call on God in the midst of their suffering, only to seek deliverance to once again go astray and in their own way. The true born-again believer, however, will call upon God in Truth. Based upon God’s Word, they will admit they are a sinner. They will not be prideful. They will not seek to live on the basis of their own morality and authority. For they know that ““God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”” (James 4:6 ESV).
Conviction shows us what is wrong and leads us to what is Right. It keeps us from the darkened path and leads us into the Marvelous Light. It prevents us from further destruction and instead guides us by instruction.
That is why conviction is such a blessing. For it shows us what is wrong and leads us to what is Right. It keeps us from the darkened path and leads us into the Marvelous Light. It prevents us from further destruction and instead guides us by instruction.
We must always remember that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 ESV). Anyone can be broken over their self-created mess, but only those who are born-again will be broken-hearted over that which they must confess. Their sin is a stench in their own nostrils and they seek to rid the pollution of that which keeps them from God, His Blessing, His Counsel, and His Direction.
“What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire”” (2 Peter 2:22 ESV). This is the way of those who do not possess a true broken and contrite heart for that which goes against God. They will seek forgiveness, only to go back to that very same thing without any desire to change or be corrected.
This is the way of the world and those who want to live a pampered life. They are those who taste of the faith, but do not fully press into the faith. They have not allowed the Truth of Christ being wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5) to change them.
As God’s Word declares in Isaiah 66:1-2 (ESV): “Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; what is the house that you would build for Me, and what is the place of My rest? All these things My hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My Word.”
True, Biblical brokenness comes from an honest reflection and acknowledgement of one’s own depraved state.
True, Biblical brokenness comes from an honest reflection and acknowledgement of one’s own depraved state. Throughout the Scriptures we see this time and time again. God both hears and comforts the one who is of a broken and contrite heart and desires to live for Him. God will never forsake that man or woman when they fall. He will hear their call and bring newness of life. We simply must be humble enough to recognize what we are not, and see Christ for Who He is.
May all come to saving faith through humility, repentance, and belief in Christ as Lord and Savior.
PRAYER
O God, You are the Creator of Heaven and earth. You are beyond all, yet care for all. You are the One Who loves those You created in Your image. You, O Great and Merciful King, are both willing and desire to help man. You are the One Who desires to save all and comfort us in the midst of our affliction. O God, we repent of our sins. Convict us of our wrongs, that we might walk in the Path that is Right. O God, bless us with Your Holy Spirit. May He be the Light within us that changes us, directs us, and leads us to repentance when we fall. Blessed Lord and Savior, thank You for dying for our sins. May we never forget the simplicity and magnitude of the Cross. Glory be to You, forevermore. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine
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