Posted on Wed, Jul 1, 2009
Escape from Brokenness
Speaker - Elder Ayodeji Adesina (Lay Pastor, BHSDAC, London)(Message summarised by Sis. Ayobola Akwarandu)
Key Text - Psalms 31: 1-14
Our daily lives often reflect the children’s poem about humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the King's horses, and all the King's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again!
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the King's horses, and all the King's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again!
Like Chinua Achebe also said in his book, ‘things fall apart, the centre cannot hold’, some may feel they are at the very end of the road wondering if they will ever bounce back. Today, we are talking about how to endure the life’s licking but yet keep on ticking like the classic Timex wrist watch. Some have broken marriages, broken hope, broken finances, broken hearts etc. and though we cannot do anything about the brokenness, we need to know that God is able to put our ‘Humpty Dumpty’ together again. Brokenness does not have to be blight, it can be a blessing! God always makes a way of escape from brokenness.
First we need to know the reality of brokenness - Many people around us may appear well dressed on the outside but deep inside, they are hurting deeply. David talked about his brokenness in the book of Psalms. In Psalms 31, David said ‘because of my enemy, I am the reproach of my neighbour’. You may have the bailiffs harassing you, threatening you so much that you are afraid of going out. Life might have dealt you a big blow; you sit at your phone hoping someone will come call you to cheer you up. David said ‘I have become a broken vessel’. Generally, when something is broken, it is deemed as useless unless repaired. Brokenness can affect us inwardly and outwardly:
- Brokenness can cause people to become angry and bitter. Some dwell on situations that have happened years ago, reacting harshly because of the pains of their past.
- Brokenness can cause people to become depressed. Some cannot afford to even smile again because deep down they are consumed by brokenness. Years back in Chicago, a man took his life because his 5 year old daughter died in a fire accident just about a year after his wife died. He didn’t know where or who to turn to.
However, brokenness also creates an upward problem. Many stop believing in God or to serve in Church when they go through their period of brokenness. They ask the question, ‘where was God when I was suffering?’
Reasons from Brokenness
In Romans 8: 28, Paul assures us that God is not a cruel God. There is some good in what you are going through! The trouble you are going through now is just a ‘light affliction’ compared to what the enemy has planned for you. Paul says it is also just for ‘a moment’. There is a pattern in the Bible that brokenness precedes greatness: before Abraham became a father of many nations he was childless for many years; before Joseph became Prime Minister in Egypt, he was first sold into slavery and imprisoned; Joshua could lead the Israelite into Canaan, he first had to defeat the giants that were in the land… the brokenness you are therefore going through now will precede a time of greatness in your life.
Remedy for Brokenness
To experience the remedy for brokenness, you need to realise that there are some prerequisites:
- There must be a relationship - in Psalm 31:3 & 14, David was able to proclaim God as his Rock and Fortress. God is not just the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; He must be your God too. Do you have a relationship with Him?
- There must be reliance – in verses 4, 5, 6, 14, 19 and 21, David solely trusted God. Who do you turn to when you have a problem? Do you turn to friends? Share your problems with God. You must rely on God and God alone. You cannot rely on your gift, skill, salary or strength.
- There must be a realisation – you need to realise and be absolutely sure of the fact that God cares intimately about you. David declares that God is a righteous God. He will not allow you to perpetually go through your brokenness. David in verse 7 said he will be glad in God’s mercy. God knows the adversaries we face. He sees, He hears and He can come quickly to your rescue. God is in control of the affairs of your life. A mighty fortress is our God. God will be a Rock of offence to your enemies and a Rock of defence for you.
God is able to mend broken hearts, broken homes, and broken dreams. God heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. No matter how big your wounds, God can bind it up. God can fix it up again.
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