Christian Foundations
DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVE
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. --Psalm 51:17
Will Rogers was most definitely known for his laughter, but he was also known for his character and compassion. One day, he was entertaining at the Milton H. Berry Institute in Los Angeles, a hospital that specialized in rehabilitating polio victims, people with broken backs, and those with other extreme physical handicaps.
As expected, Rogers had everyone laughing, even those patients who were in very bad condition. But he suddenly left the platform and headed straight for the restroom. Milton Berry followed to take him a towel. When he opened the door, he saw Rogers leaning against the wall sobbing. He quietly closed the door and left.
In a few minutes, Rogers was back on the platform, and continued on as happy as before. In The Integrity Crisis, Warren Wiersbe said, “If you want to learn what a person is really like, ask three questions: What makes him laugh? What makes him angry? What makes him weep? These are fairly good tests of character…”
Many times, people preach, teach, and share Jesus in anger. But what we truly need is brokenness for those who are hurting, lost, and without Jesus. It is that kind of anguish that Jesus showed when He removed all those who were selling and trading in the temple, and then went out and wept over the city.
It’s easier to get angry over sin than it is to weep over it. While sin is wrong, we should cry out for those sinners who are hurting and hopeless. Choose today to be broken and compassionate toward those who do not know the love of Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help break you so that you can minister to those who are lost and broken. Pray that He would give you the strength and compassion needed to reach others in their times of need.
