What Does the Bible Say About God Using the Broken?
The Bible is filled with stories of people who were broken, both physically and emotionally, and yet, God used them to achieve great things. From the prophet Jeremiah, who was broken by the weight of his prophetic ministry, to the apostle Paul, who was broken by his physical limitations, to the countless unnamed individuals throughout the Bible who were broken by their circumstances, God has a history of using the broken to accomplish His will.
The Bible Says God Uses the Broken
In Psalm 51, David writes about his brokenness and asks God to use him in spite of his flaws. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:17) This psalm is a powerful declaration of David’s brokenness and his desire to be used by God in spite of his brokenness.
God’s Plan for Redemption
God’s plan for redemption is to take our brokenness and use it to accomplish His will. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) This passage highlights God’s sovereign plan to use the broken to achieve His purposes.
Examples of God Using the Broken
- Jeremiah the Prophet: Jeremiah was a prophet who was broken by the weight of his prophetic ministry. He was constantly at odds with the people and the leaders of Israel, and he felt like he was all alone. "I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me." (Jeremiah 20:7) Despite his brokenness, God used Jeremiah to proclaim His word to the people of Israel.
- Paul the Apostle: Paul was broken by his physical limitations. He was in prison multiple times, beaten, and left for dead. Yet, he wrote some of the most beautiful and inspiring passages in the New Testament. "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death." (Philippians 3:10) Paul’s brokenness did not hinder God’s use of him, but rather, it allowed God to use him in a unique and powerful way.
- Blind Bartimaeus: Bartimaeus was a blind beggar who was sitting by the roadside. He was broken by his physical limitations and felt like he was completely dependent on others. Yet, when Jesus passed by, Bartimaeus cried out to Him for help. "Rabbi, I want to see!" (Mark 10:51) Jesus healed Bartimaeus and restored his sight. This passage highlights God’s power to transform the broken and use them in powerful ways.
Why God Uses the Broken
God uses the broken for several reasons:
- Redemption: God uses the broken to redeem them from their brokenness. He takes their brokenness and uses it to accomplish His will.
- Exaltation: God uses the broken to exalt them. He takes their brokenness and uses it to lift them up and give them a sense of purpose and significance.
- Witness: God uses the broken to be a witness to others. Their brokenness can be a powerful testimony to the hope and redemption that is available through Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The Bible says that God uses the broken. From the prophet Jeremiah to the apostle Paul to the countless unnamed individuals throughout the Bible, God has a history of using the broken to accomplish His will. God’s plan for redemption is to take our brokenness and use it to achieve His purposes. Whether we are broken by our circumstances, our choices, or our failures, God is able to use us in powerful and meaningful ways.