God Uses Broken Things - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart.
Psalm 51:17

God Uses Broken Things
When my children were little, they used to bring me their broken toys. Those that I couldn't repair usually ended up being thrown away because that's what you do with broken things. But God does not throw away broken things; He wants to use them. The late Vance Havner once said, "God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever."

Think of all the times in Scripture where God broke things in order to bless others. It was not until Jacob's natural strength was broken, when his hip was wrenched in that wrestling match, that he came to the point where God could bless him in a powerful way. It was not until Gideon's 300 soldiers broke the jars that were in their hands, which symbolized brokenness in their lives, that the hidden light of the torches was able to shine and defeat the enemy.

It was only when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster jar of perfume, destroying its usefulness and value, that the wonderful fragrance filled the house and Jesus was honored. In fact, it was only when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them that the bread was multiplied to feed the 5,000. Through the very process of the loaves being broken, the miracle occurred.

God uses broken things. He is able to use us the most when we are pliable in His hands, allowing the Master Potter to remold and reshape the vessel as seems good to Him .

Tim Hadley, Sr.
Then melt my heart, O Savior, bend me, yea, break me down,

Until I own Thee Conqueror, and Lord and Sov'reign crown.