DEVOTIONAL SERIES ON LOVE (part-24)

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
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 (that were 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 a 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 that still exist 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)

We see that we contain the forgiveness of sins,
redemption, and 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)

We see that we contain 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 we see that we contain 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; which in turn, can impact the lives of
those around us. Although it can be 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 capable of showing Himself
as our Redeemer, by pouring out His treasures through us. God
can use the broken pieces 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 a crushing loneliness as a result of the loss of a loved
one? Is your heart torn and bleeding because you have a wayward
child? Are you deeply heartbroken and grieving over the illness of
someone you love?

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. How will the Lord show Himself
through you during your times of disappointment and brokenness?

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 it 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. I’m struggling with
emotional pain but I love You Lord, and I’m clinging
to Your promises. Thank You for promising to love
me, and to be with me at all times, Lord. Without
You it would be impossible for me to cope with my
overwhelming heartbreak. Thank You for how You
are ministering to me and my hurts!”

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