Today’s Quiet Time: Spirit of Brokenness – Dec 7, 2022 (WED). We hope this message guides your fellowship with God during your personal quiet time.
Spirit of Brokenness
Psalm 40:11-17
Scripture (NIV)
¹¹ Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
¹² For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.
¹³ Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me.
¹⁴ May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
¹⁵ May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.
¹⁶ But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”
¹⁷ But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the LORD think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.
Today’s Quiet Time: Spirit of Brokenness – Psalm 40:11-17 
Reflection
Cry of the Overwhelmed (40:11–13)
The psalmist says that his distress has multiplied around him and threatens to envelop him completely. Moreover, he is so conscious of his sins that his heart fails him. His lament may sound somewhat exaggerated, but it accurately captures what it feels like to be overwhelmed by troubles. In moments like this, other people might accuse us of overreacting or being dramatic, but God understands exactly how we feel and has compassion on us. Therefore, when we find ourselves in an extremely distressing situation, we should not hesitate to cry out for God to quickly come to our help. We can be confident that He is willing and able to save us because His love and faithfulness have never failed us.
What distressing situation are you currently facing? How have you expressed to God your desperate need for His help?
READ: Today’s Quiet Time: David’s Testimony According to Psalm 40:1-10
Victorious Yet Humble (40:14–17)
When God saves, He does so completely and unambiguously. Just as David prays for vindication from his enemies and rejoices in the Lord, we, too, should expect our lives as Christians to be marked with joyful victory over sin and the damaging patterns of our past. Because of what Jesus has accomplished through His death and resurrection, we are new creatures, clothed in His righteousness and indwelt by His empowering Spirit. At the same time, we should also recognize that we are poor and helpless before the Lord and completely dependent on His deliverance as long as we live in this broken world. Let us join with the psalmist today and declare that our Deliverer is great!
What spiritual battles are you currently fighting? Why is it important to maintain a humble and contrite attitude before God?
Prayer based on Today’s Quiet Time: Spirit of Brokenness
Lord God, when I am overwhelmed by my sin or by the troubles of this life, help me to depend completely on You to save me and produce Christ-like character in me. In His name, amen