God uses broken vessels! Part one

 

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Luke 18

1. Broken people recognise their need of God.

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If we look at the gospel of Luke 18 and the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, who both went to pray in the temple however they both offered very different prayers.

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The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, evildoers, adulterers or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.
Luke 18:11-12

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Now look at the prayer of the tax collector:

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But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner"
Luke 18:13

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When you read the two prayers I assume that the difference between them is obvious for you to see. That the Pharisee stood confident and boasting of my wonderful a person he was white the tax collector clearly realised he was far from good and felt unworthy of the Lord and pleading for His mercy.

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If you read on you will see which one goes home justified by the Lord!

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The Bible teaches us that when we come before the Lord, humbled and broken, realising our need for Him in our lives, God hears us and he comes to help us.

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Although people will use the quotation, God helps those who help themselves and often say it is a biblical reference, that is incorrect and it does not actually appear in the Scriptures at all.

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So when we look at ourselves and see that we are broken vessels, and where they of the Lord we can confidently come before through Christ Jesus gave his life, suffered and died on the cross and rose again to pay for our sins, once and for all.

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If you feel overwhelmed, broken and in need of help, remember Psalm 34:18 when we are told:
"The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

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So if you are feeling overwhelmed, broken or in need of help, remember these verses and call on the Lord!