Can we all be honest in saying that when we first start out on our spiritual journey with the Lord, it’s extremely difficult?  We feel discouraged, abandoned, forsaken and bitter. As babes in Christ, we may have said “I might as well be in the world if I have to deal with this!”  Well, if this is you, you are not alone. And you can expect more seasons like this. I wish I could say that it gets easier, but the truth is, new levels bring new devils. 

As we elevate and ascend spiritually, our obedience offers a wealth of favor, grace and mercy from our Heavenly Father. However, the feeling of brokenness does not ever quite end. Brokenness is a part of elevation! We must be broken but not bitter. It’s not uncommon for people to curse God and give up. We see this in scripture. Look at the book of Job. During Job’s season of suffering, Job’s wife told him to “curse God and die”. (Job 2:9) However, the book of Exodus warns us not to revile God (Exodus 22:28)

The Lord wants to refine us and make us fully dependent on him just as he did with Jacob and Paul.

• Jacob (Genesis 32:24-31): God wrestles with Jacob, ultimately touching the socket of his hip, leaving him with a permanent limp to break his self-reliance and turn him into a man of prayer.

• Paul (II Corinthians 12:7-10): Paul is given a "thorn in the flesh" to prevent him from becoming conceited due to his revelations. God tells him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness".

So again, Be Broken but Not Bitter. As the Lord is calling you higher you are “gracefully broken”. This is for your making. God wants total surrender during this process. When we find our strength in our weakness is when transformation begins. By enduring the brokenness, we inherit freedom, spiritual maturity and the promises from the Lord. So “Trust the Process!” And Remember Be Broken but Not Bitter!

• II Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Gracefully Broken by Tasha Cobbs Leonard

God will break you to position you

He will break you to promote you

And break you to put you in your right place

But when He breaks you (Yeah) He doesn't hurt you, He doesn't

When He breaks you He doesn't destroy you, He does it with; grace

Anybody been gracefully broken? whoa

Thank You, Lord, thank YouSo Father tonight, we're broken before You

Thank You for handling us with grace (yeah)Just lift your worship right there in this moment

Take all I have in these hands

And multiply, God, all that I am

And find my heart on the altar again

Set me on fire, set me on fire (c'mon sing)

Take all I have in these hands

And multiply, God (God), all that I am

And find my heart on the altar again

Set me on fire (ask him say), set me on fire

Here I am, God arms wide openPouring out my life

Gracefully broken

Instructions: This week we will begin by reading the devotion on Sunday along with the scripture for the day. Following, we will read each scripture assigned daily. Meditate on on each scripture and journal what the Lord is saying to you. Reread the devotion as needed. May the Lord continue to bless you this week. See you in Bible Study Wednesday!

April 12

Scripture Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.

April 13

Scripture Job 5:18 For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. Read full chapter.  

April 14

Scripture Jeremiah 18:6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the LORD. “Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!

April 15

Scripture Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit."

April 16

Scripture II Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.

April 17

Scripture Romans 11:5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

April 18

Scripture Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”