Contrition...a biblical word that's not used much anymore...it seems.... Translated from the Hebrew, it literally means bruised, broken, crushed in spirit. It's not a "feel good" word in our world and culture that is so heavily engaged in an inordinate pursuit of health, wealth and prosperity. But it's an indispensible word in God's economy , if indeed, we're going to know His best and what it means to be, as Jabez said it, "blessed indeed."
The Psalmist states that "the nearness of my God is my good!" But as we read further we find that God's nearness is conditional. The condition is contriteness.... I leave these verses of scripture with you to ponder. May we all understand more of what this condition means and how it behaves. For in having this sober virtue, we are certain of His nearness and all His presence brings....
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise (ingore; in essence, the broken and contrite have an audience with God!).
"For my hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being," declares the Lord. "But to this one will I look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My Word!"
So...
"Rend your hearts and not your garments." Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil (meaning, He doesn't want us to hurt or be hurt and will revoke His sentence of evil on us when His conditions are met - Amplified).
...For it's Your kindness that leads us to repentance, O Lord.
...In Your presence (nearness), there is fullness of joy, in your right hand, there are pleasures forever....
Blessings,
Mitch
