“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite spirit, O God, You will not despise.” (Ps 51:17)

Truer ministry must be accomplished in brokenness than in strength. We can make many sacrifices in our strength…schedule quiet time, increase our readings, approach and instruct others, and feel we are rising to new heights.

But what happens when that strength is quickly severed? We see our presumptions burnt up, and we are caused to face reality: our efforts “have not caught one fish” (Jn 21:5). We can’t even change ourselves. Finally we see it’s found in “relying not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor 1:9). And while death was at work in Paul plunging him downward, he found life consequently at work in those to whom he was ministering (2 Cor 3:12).

God’s design seems to require brokenness. Until Jacob’s night of wrestling with God, he had prevailed over every hardship. This night came and left an indelible mark; he was crippled for God’s sake. He is last recorded worshiping as he leaned on the top of his staff (Heb 11:21). The pragmatist and sacrificer had now become a worshiper.

With a grappling statement for those who would wish to truly minister, Paul ends his letter to the Corinthians…”We are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you” (vs 13:4).
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