Crushed Like Dust
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. ~Psalm 34:18
It is amazing how demolition equipment can take large amounts of concrete and pulverize them into dust. It might take some pounding, but the sheer force and weight of this equipment crushes these concrete blocks into simple dust. This is a powerful metaphor on what it means to have a contrite spirit. A contrite spirit is when we come to the place in our life where we are crushed like dust. It is becoming small like a little particle. This morning, we want to consider the necessity of a contrite spirit before God.
There is the battle for a contrite spirit.
Our flesh and wicked heart continually despise a contrite spirit. The pride within us wants to be magnified and exalted rather than be small and humble before God. We would rather be reserved in spirit than to be wholly broken and shattered in heart about our sins. We would rather think about our sin and attempt to justify our unrighteousness instead of saying, "Lord, I am sorry." We allow the "peer pressure" of those around us in church affect our spirit: we are afraid of giving the appearance that we are sinners or that we need the Lord. We can become “rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” There is always a battle for a contrite spirit.
There is the basis for a contrite spirit.
A contrite spirit is of utmost priority in order for us to have right fellowship with the Lord. We need a contrite spirit to enter into the presence of God. Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” We must always be ready to appear before the presence of God with the idea that we need to be purged from a defiled conscience. A contrite spirit is a prerequisite to revival and restoration. A contrite spirit is the solution to conceitedness and a haughty spirit.
There is the beginning of a contrite spirit.
A contrite spirit begins with mourning. We should be grieved about our sins. We should be grieved that the Holy Spirit is grieved with us. A contrite spirit begins with our motion. We must come to the Lord with the realization that we lost the joy, power, fellowship, and holiness that we had from the last time we were in His presence. A contrite spirit begins in the morning. Start your morning with a heart that is transparent before God. A contrite spirit is a daily mission that we must pursue.
There is the blessing of a contrite spirit.
God preserves and delivers those who have a contrite spirit. We are preserved from the advances of the enemy. We are preserved from our fears. God is near to those who have a contrite spirit. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” A contrite spirit assures us of an ongoing revival spirit. A contrite spirit helps maintain a good conscience before God and man. A contrite spirit is a necessity for answered prayer.
Do you have a contrite spirit? Are you willing to be "crushed into dust" so that you have the joy of being in God’s presence? Take time today to come before God with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
Have a humble God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Chronicles 1-2