As a passionate Christian with a deep heart of devotion to the word of God, I am constantly amazed by the wisdom and insight it offers. One particular verse that has always resonated with me is Psalm 51:17, which speaks about the heart that God will not despise.
- Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (ESV)
This verse paints a vivid picture of a soul that is truly awakened to its sinfulness and desperate for God’s forgiveness and favor.
In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of a broken and contrite heart, exploring its characteristics, benefits, and how it relates to our relationship with God.
Characteristics of a Broken and Contrite Heart
In Psalm 51:17, David, the author of this Psalm, describes a broken and contrite heart as one that God will not despise. Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of such a heart.
1: Thorough Conviction of Sin
A broken and contrite heart is not merely a superficial acknowledgement of sin, but a deep and genuine awareness of one’s fallen and miserable state before God.
It is a heart that is thoroughly convinced of its own sinfulness, recognizing the plague of its own depravity, wretchedness, and danger. This conviction is not based on external circumstances or worldly sorrow, but on a true discernment of the heart’s condition before a holy God.
2: Deeply Affected by Sin
A broken and contrite heart is not indifferent or callous towards sin, but deeply affected by it. It is a heart that is melted down, a soul that is dissolved before God in humility and contrition.
It is a heart that is keenly sensitive to the baseness of its own sins, and genuinely sorrowful and grieved in spirit for having grieved the best of beings. It is a heart that experiences holy compunction, a genuine sorrow and grief that leads to repentance.
3: Humbled Before God
A broken and contrite heart is a heart that is deeply humbled before God. It is a heart that relinquishes all self-importance and pride, and humbles itself in sackcloth and ashes before the Almighty.
It is a heart that greatly fears God and acknowledges His holiness, while recognizing its own unworthiness. It is a heart that abhors and loathes itself in the presence of a holy God, realizing its utter dependence on His mercy and grace.
4: Confession of Sin
A broken and contrite heart is not ashamed to confess its sins before God. It is a heart that makes a free and heartfelt confession of its sins, just as we see in David’s confession in the preceding verses of Psalm 51.
It is a heart that is willing to be honest and transparent with God, acknowledging its failures and shortcomings, and seeking His forgiveness and cleansing.
The beauty of a broken and contrite heart lies in its humility and vulnerability before God. It recognizes its own inadequacies and the need for God’s grace and mercy. It is a heart that understands the gravity of its sins and the impact they have on its relationship with God, others, and even itself.
5: Seeking Deliverance
A broken and contrite heart is not content to remain in its sinful state, but earnestly seeks and supplicates for deliverance. It is a heart that, like Manasseh in the Old Testament or the jailer in the New Testament, is truly anxious to know what it should do to be saved.
It is a heart that cries out to God for help, seeking His guidance, grace, and mercy. It is a heart that prays without ceasing, seeking God’s will and direction in every aspect of life.
The Benefits of a Broken and Contrite Heart
The beauty of a broken and contrite heart is not only in its characteristics but also in the benefits that it brings. Let’s explore some of the blessings that a broken and contrite heart can experience.
God’s Compassion and Pity
One of the most comforting assurances for a broken and contrite heart is that God will not despise those who come to Him in repentance and humility. In fact, the Scriptures are filled with references to God’s compassion and pity towards His children, especially when they are in distress or facing difficulties.
The Bible tells us that God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Psalm 145:8).
He is a God who cares deeply for His creation, and His heart is moved with pity when His children are hurting.
When we approach Him with a repentant heart, seeking His forgiveness and mercy, He does not turn us away. Instead, He extends His hand of compassion and lifts us up from our brokenness.
The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 is a beautiful illustration of God’s compassion and pity. In this story, Jesus tells of a young man who squandered his inheritance in wild living and ended up destitute and hungry.
As he realized his desperate situation, he decided to return to his father and ask for forgiveness, even if it meant being treated as a hired servant. But as he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and ordered a feast to be prepared in his honor.
This parable teaches us that God’s compassion is not based on our merit or worthiness. It is a reflection of His unconditional love and mercy towards us, even when we have made mistakes or gone astray. He is always ready to forgive and restore us, no matter how far we have wandered or how broken we may feel.
God’s compassion and pity are not limited to our physical needs or material circumstances. He also cares about our emotional and spiritual well-being. When we are overwhelmed with grief, anxiety, or fear, He is there to comfort us and offer us His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
When we are burdened with guilt or shame, He offers us His forgiveness and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). When we are lost and confused, He is our guiding light, leading us on the path of righteousness (Psalm 23:3).
As His children, we can take comfort in knowing that we have a compassionate and loving God who understands our weaknesses, forgives our failures, and restores us with His tender care.
He is not a distant and indifferent God, but a Father who longs to comfort and console us in our times of need. All we need to do is turn to Him with a repentant heart, and He will meet us with His unwavering compassion and pity.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, God’s compassion and pity are powerful sources of comfort and assurance for those who are broken and contrite in heart. He is a God who is always ready to forgive, restore, and console His children, no matter how far they have wandered or how broken they may feel.
His compassion is unconditional, and His love is unfailing. May we always find solace in His compassionate embrace and be encouraged to approach Him with humility and repentance, knowing that He will never despise us, but will always extend His hand of compassion and lift us up from our brokenness.
