Proverbs 18:14: The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?
Insight
You can break your leg and recover from that; but, if your spirit is broken, you are completely broken. Only God can encourage you at a time like that. How important is it for us to know that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Sitting in the pastor’s study of a church in Salem, Oregon, I noticed this little motto (it’s a contemporary proverb) on the wall: “Joy is the flag that is flown in the heart when the Master is in residence.” I like that. When the Lord Jesus Christ becomes first choice in your life, when He has top priority, then you will not have that broken spirit that we hear so much about today. Give God the first choice. Give of your time, your effort, your thoughts, your companionship, and your money, and see what happens. Have you tried that? 1
Application
Paul understood all about a broken spirit and was able to encourage us 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
How can the grace of God encourage you right now? Are you feeling weak and without much strength? Has your spirit been broken by a dear friend? God is able to minister to your broken spirit, if you will let Him. Will you surrender everything to Him? Ask Him to minister to your greatest weakness.
Motivation
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!” Psalm 30:10
When I was broken, He was there, and He never left me. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, thank You for binding up the broken hearted in the fullness of Your love.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Proverbs) (electronic ed., Vol. 20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
