A Broken Heart, God Will Not Reject

God’s holiness reminds us that we cannot live carelessly in His presence. As we come to know more deeply who our holy God is, we also become more aware of the condition of our hearts and lives that need renewal.

Repentance is not simply feeling guilty because we have done something wrong. True repentance is a change of heart that brings us back to God, causes us to leave the wrong path, and leads us to choose to live according to His will.

In Psalm 51, David came before God with a broken and contrite heart. He did not try to hide his sin or defend himself. Instead, he confessed his wrongdoing and asked for God’s mercy and forgiveness.

David realized that the greatest problem was not merely the wrong that he had committed, but the condition of his heart before God.

This can also happen in the lives of believers today.

Sometimes it is easier for us to see the faults of others than to examine the condition of our own hearts. We may be quick to correct, criticize, and judge others, but less willing to ask:

“Lord, what needs to change in my life?”

We may still be active in ministry, attend church services, pray, read the Bible, and do many spiritual activities. Yet, at the same time, there may be sin, bitterness, pride, envy, selfishness, or disobedience that we continue to keep in our hearts.

God does not merely desire religious activities. He desires a heart that truly returns to Him.

True repentance begins when we are willing to come before God honestly, humble ourselves, and allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts.

1. Holiness begins with a heart that recognizes the holiness of God.

When we understand that God is holy, we will no longer take sin lightly. Sin is not merely breaking a rule. Sin damages our relationship with God.

The closer we draw to God, the more we become aware of the things in our lives that are not pleasing to Him.

However, the awareness of sin is not meant to cause us to live in fear or despair. Instead, God reveals our sin so that we may come to Him and receive forgiveness and restoration.

Holiness does not mean that we become perfect through our own strength. Holiness is a life that continually surrenders to God and allows Him to transform us from the inside out.

2. Repentance begins when we stop making excuses.

David did not blame anyone else. He did not try to cover up his sin.

He came before God with a broken heart and acknowledged his condition.

In the same way, we need to learn to say:

“Lord, I have sinned. Forgive me. Change me.”

Sometimes what prevents spiritual revival is not that God is unwilling to work, but that people are unwilling to humble themselves and acknowledge the condition of their hearts.

Revival begins when God’s people dare to come before Him with honesty.

There are three important steps in true repentance:

1. Acknowledge our sin and the condition of our hearts before God.

We cannot experience restoration if we continue to hide the things that need to be surrendered to God.

2. Leave the wrong path and turn back to God.

Repentance is not merely saying, “I’m sorry,” but being willing to change the direction of our lives and leave behind the things that are not pleasing to God.

3. Ask for a new heart and a renewed life.

Just as David prayed, we also need to ask God to create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us.

When we truly repent, we do not only receive God’s forgiveness, but we also experience the restoration of our relationship with Him.

God does not despise a broken and contrite heart. Instead, He receives those who come to Him with humility and honesty.

Today, let us pause for a moment and examine our hearts.

Is there something in our lives that we need to confess before God?

Is there a sin that we have been hiding?

Is there bitterness that we have not yet released?

Have pride, selfishness, or worldly desires taken the place that belongs to God?

Are we more concerned about protecting our image before people than guarding our hearts before God?

If the Holy Spirit is convicting us, let us not harden our hearts.

Come to God. Confess. Repent. Return to Him.

God is not looking for people who pretend to be perfect. He is looking for hearts that are willing to be humbled, shaped, and renewed by Him.

May the 4th week of the Borneo Revival Prayer Movement be a call for us to return to God with broken and contrite hearts.

May every family, church, and child of God throughout Borneo be willing to conduct a personal spiritual examination.

When God’s people humble themselves, confess their sins, and sincerely repent, God is able to bring greater renewal into our personal lives, families, churches, and communities.

Revival begins when our hearts are made right before God.

Share & Discuss

1. What is something in your life that God is asking you to acknowledge and surrender to Him?

2. What is the difference between feeling guilty and true repentance?

3. What is one practical step you can take this week to live more holy before God?

Share this reflection with your family and friends so that more of God’s people in Borneo will be encouraged to humble themselves, repent, and return to God.

“... You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” — Leviticus 19:2