God desires your broken spirit and contrite heart, & His grace is sufficient in your weakness, as He upholds and saves you as you call on Him in truth.

• God values a broken spirit and a contrite heart as sacrifices.
• Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to prevent him from becoming conceited.
• God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness.
• Paul boasts in his weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon him.
• God keeps track of our sorrows and collects our tears in a bottle.
• God is on our side and our enemies will retreat when we call for help.
• The Lord upholds and raises up those who are falling and bowed down.
• God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him and hears their cry, saving them.

Why A Broken And Contrite Spirit?

God values humility, repentance, and acknowledging our faults. A broken spirit and contrite heart show this. To have a broken spirit means we’re submitting to God’s will without pride. A contrite heart is remorseful and seeks forgiveness. These sacrifices require letting go of pride and ego, showing raw humility, repentance, and a willingness to turn away from sin.

Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” This verse means that God does not value outward displays of religiosity or ritualistic sacrifices if they are not accompanied by sincere repentance and a humble heart. Instead, God looks at the inward disposition of a person’s heart, seeking a humble and contrite spirit that is genuinely committed to living according to His will.

Why Paul Was Given A Thorn In The Flesh?

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

God uses the “thorn in the flesh” to test and humble us, just like He did with Paul. He knows that without it, we might stray from Him. So, He allows us to face trials, tribulations, and pain to keep us close. God only gives us what we can handle and removes anything that might cause us to fall away. Paul’s thorn in the flesh kept him from becoming conceited, and despite his pleas for its removal, he endured it as a child of God until his death and resurrection.

How Is God’s Power Made Perfect In Weakness?

This statement says that our weaknesses and limitations help us become more reliant on God’s grace and strength. This leads to spiritual growth. When we face challenges, we often try to solve them on our own. But when we realize our limitations, we turn to God for help. This helps us understand our need for Him and how much we depend on Him. When we surrender control to God, His power is shown in us. We see His power guiding us, helping us, and giving us strength to do things we couldn’t do alone.

Why Did Paul Boast In His Afflictions?

Paul found that boasting about his struggles gave glory to God. He didn’t focus on his own strength, but acknowledged that he could only endure and overcome his trials through God’s power. Boasting about his struggles allowed him to point people towards God and show the power of the gospel. It also showed his dedication to the gospel, as he understood that being a follower of Christ meant enduring hardship for the sake of the gospel. By boasting about his struggles, he demonstrated the sacrificial nature of Christian discipleship and the importance of persevering through tough times.

What does it mean that God counts and keeps our tears in a jar?

In the past, people used to collect tears in a bottle to remember important events or show strong emotions. The idea of God collecting our tears shows that He knows and cares about our pain, sadness, and difficulties. The Bible shows us that God comforts His people when they are upset, heals their wounds, and helps them through tough times. The image of God keeping our tears in a bottle is a strong symbol of His care and kindness. It reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles and that God is always there to offer comfort and hope.

How Do Our Enemies Retreat When We Call Out To God?

When we ask God for help, He may step in to assist us, just as He has done in the Bible by intervening in battles and conflicts to help His people overcome their enemies. For instance, in the story of David and Goliath, God gave David the strength and courage to defeat the giant who had been threatening Israel’s armies. When we call on God for help, He may intervene to bring about victory, which could mean that our enemies are disarmed or weakened. This could occur naturally, such as through an unexpected turn of events that works in our favor, or supernaturally, such as through a miraculous intervention from God. Additionally, calling on God for help may lead to a change of heart in our enemies. When we pray for our enemies and ask God to help us forgive them, we may find that they are more willing to back down and seek reconciliation. Ultimately, we can trust that God is powerful and able to bring about victory in ways that we may not expect or understand.

The Lord Upholds Those Who Are Bowed Down

Revealing God’s compassionate care for those facing adversity. He upholds and raises them, providing strength and hope. This reminder encourages us to trust in God’s unchanging love and find comfort in His guidance. It is a testament to His enduring grace and calls us to serve with compassion and rest confidently in His care.

God Hears The Cry Of Those Who Fear Him

Psalm 145:19 shows how powerful and compassionate God is towards those who fear Him. He is involved in their lives and listens to their needs. He answers prayers in a way that aligns with His will. When we fear the Lord, we acknowledge His greatness and seek His guidance. God blesses us with His presence, protection, and provision. This verse emphasizes the importance of prayer and shows that God is a loving Father who desires to help His children. We can trust that He will answer our prayers in His perfect timing and ways. This verse reminds us of God’s faithfulness and love, and encourages us to fear the Lord, seek His will, and trust in His goodness.

PRAYER FOR THE SUFFRING:

Heavenly Father,
We come to You in prayer, asking for Your mercy and grace to be poured out on those who are suffering. We know that You are a loving and compassionate God who cares deeply for Your children. We ask that You would bring comfort and peace to those in pain and sorrow, and help them to find hope and strength in You.
We pray that You would bring healing and restoration to those who are struggling with physical, emotional, and spiritual pain. We ask that You would give them the courage to persevere through difficult times and to trust in Your goodness and faithfulness.
We ask that You would provide for their needs and give them the courage to face their fears. We pray that they would find strength in You and that You would be the source of their hope and joy.
We thank You for Your loving kindness and compassion. We pray that You would continue to bless those who are suffering and bring them comfort and peace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know:
God is on my side!”

Psalm 56:8–9

“The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them”

Psalm 145:14–19