"The sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit, a broken and contrite heart"

What is the difference between a broken horse and a wild horse? This question has really challenged my thoughts around this verse. I don't like thinking of the sacrifice that the Lord in these terms, because a broken spirit/heart seem to be best seen in the breaking of a horse. A wild horse is its own master. It does wat it wants and when it wants. It runs, eats, bathes, mates, and does whatever it wants on its own terms. However, if it is captured by a person and that person engages it in a battle of will. It can be broken. It literally loses its indiviual nature and its desire to do whatever it wants. It comes to a point that this powerful and magnificent animal can be control by a child with a little rope and a bit. The smallest tug tells this once proud beast to either turn left or right. To run or walk. It allows itself to be penned up and depended on another for its food. It mates only when allowed to and does only what it is allowed or told to do. What is really "broken"on a horse is its spirit.

I think that this picture is exactly what the Lord desires in us. That we would stop fighting Him and would be so broken that the smallest tug upon our lives in any direction would be obeyed immediately. That we would no longer desire to do our own thing or be our own master, but we would be subject to the leading of our Master, Jesus Christ.

Prayer of Confession

Jeus,
I am fully convinced that you deal with sin in drastic ways. The corruption of sin leads to catastrophe in our lives. Jesus, I failed miserably to live up the your glorious standard. I placed the desires of darkness and of my sinful flesh to dictate my actions. I gratified the cravings of sin instead of craving the Truth. I come before you guilty, I have no excuse or recourse. I deserve the full extent of your wrath and your punishment. I don't disagree with any of your statutes or laws. They are perfect and perfect for me. My request before you today is for your grace and mercy. They are underserved, but they are my only hope. Your forgiveness is my only hope. Jesus would you please forgive me this offense even though I don't deserve it? Would you cleanse me of my guilt and purify me from my sin? Would you restore to me the joy of my salvation?

John 15:13

This past week I attended funerals for two amazing men who gave up their lives to save another. Both men who died were followers of Jesus Christ. One particular item to note from the funerals was the hope that permeated both. The deaths of these men made many mourners out of family and friends, but the mourning was different. The mourning was not in dispair. Their was an unthinkable joy and hope that surrounded this grim event. There was no perspective that their deaths were a conclusion of life, but rather their deaths were really the beginning of their lives. I have been to many funerals for people who were not followers of Jesus and I have seen death has a bitter sting. However, there was no sting in the deaths of these men. There was not finality in their passing, but hope for where they are and who they are now with forever.

These men lived their lives differently because of Jesus, they gave their lives courageously because of Jesus, and now because of Jesus they will live again gloriously for all eternity with the Creator of heaven and earth.