Healing the Brokenhearted 5 – a God of compassion

The aim of this devotional study of to reflect on God’s attitude to our brokenness and failures.

This 2min Sermon Jam of Matt Chandler will greatly enhance this study today.

Scripture

Isaiah 49:13-17

13  Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

14  But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”

15  “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. 16  Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. 17  Your builders make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste go out from you.

Observations

God’s afflicted people are personified in this chapter by the broken state of the destroyed city of Jerusalem.

1. What do you learn about God’s character and attitude towards his broken people from this Text?
2. The Lord likens his comfort, compassion and attentiveness of his people to a nursing mother. Why can a nursing mother not forget her own baby?  What do does the Lord wish to convey about his relationship to his people?

Personal Reflection

Oftentimes we get frustrated by our own brokenness and weaknesses, and therefore think that God is impatient and frustrated with us because of these imperfections.

1. Jot down your own most prominent habitual flaws and brokenness. In simple words describe that to yourself.
2. Reflecting on this Text, how do you expect God to relate to your brokenness and flaws?
3. Would the God described in this Text give up on you and walk away from you because of your imperfections? What would God rather do?

Application and Prayer

Hebrews 4:15-16

15  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  16  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1. Follow the counsel of this portion to the broken, fickle congregation of Hebrews
   1. Approach God with confidence, with shame and no fear of rejection, and state your brokenness to him.
   2. Ask for mercy for your (habitual) imperfections and shortcomings, because Jesus knows what you are going through.
   3. Ask for grace (help) to restore ad heal your brokenness.
2. Consider someone you know whose brokenness manifests in some destructive pattern.
   1. Approach God on his/her behalf and appeal for mercy (forgiveness) and grace (help), because Jesus knows what he/she is going through.