DISAPPOINTMENT AND BROKENNESS REMIND US OF GOD’S PRESENCE AND LOVE

BIBLE PASSAGE:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that 
this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 
(2 Corinthians 4:7)

MEDITATION:
A young shepherd was searching for his goat 
when suddenly he heard the breaking of a pot.
This aroused his curiosity and for the moment, he forgot about his goat.
Instead he entered a cave where he heard the sound of the pot breaking.
And what did he find? 
One of the greatest archeological and religious treasures 
ever discovered – the Dead Sea Scrolls!

This nomadic shepherd took the scraps of paper rolled in a cloth 
and stored in the pot to a merchant in Bethlehem. 
From there, the treasure passed from hand to hand until they arrived 
and were stored in a special museum at Hebrew University 
named the Shrine of the Book.
These ancient documents of God’s Word were disintegrating, 
in a clay pot in a cave for over a thousand years 
before being found by a shepherd in search of a goat!
The infinite impossibilities of these scrolls being discovered 
is a reminder of God’s powerful presence and plans in our world today.

Paul tells us that each believer is a jar of clay containing treasures. 
When we look through scripture, we see that we contain peace 
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)

the forgiveness of sins, redemption, the riches of God’s grace 
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, 
in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7)

joy 
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you 
and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:11)

and the resurrection power of Christ. 
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and 
participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 
(Philippians 3:10)

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls provides a powerful and biblical 
picture of how a broken vessel can release the power of God 
into a person’s life and the lives of those around him or her. 
Although painful, brokenness is one of God’s ways 
of showing and releasing His power in our lives.

Even when the cause of our brokenness 
is the result of living in a fallen and sin-filled world, God is able 
to show Himself as our Redeemer by pouring out His treasures through us.
God can use the broken places in each of us for His glory and our good. 
As a broken pot, His Word can be exposed through us 
to a lost and dying world.

ACTION:
Are you a broken or crushed pot today? 
Are you suffering because of the loss of a job or a financial crisis? 
Are your emotions broken and bruised 
due to the rejection of a friend or loved one? 
Are you experiencing crushing loneliness 
as a result of the loss of a loved one?
Is your heart torn and bleeding as a result of a wayward child?

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, He says 
that even in catastrophic times He is not only with you, 
but has a desire to pour Himself out through you.

God’s Word (that you have been storing away during 
your quiet times with Him) can be revealed through your brokenness. 
He sees your pain, He knows your hurt, and He wants what is best for you. 
God loves you dearly, so hold on to His promise that your brokenness is not 
wasted, but is an opportunity for His Spirit to be released through you.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, in brokenness I come to You today. In my weakness 
and downheartedness I give myself over to You. Whether I have been
broken by sin or circumstances, I ask You to fill my broken pot and pour 
Yourself out through me. Remind me of the treasures You have stored in
me so that I can cope with what I am going through right now. Thank You,
Jesus, for the redemption You poured out for me in Your brokenness on 
the cross. I know that through Your experiences of disappointments, You
understand the brokenness in my own life. Teach me to focus on the
positives of my distresses, and help me to cope by remembering Your 
promise to work good out of all things for those who love You.”

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