Broken Yet Loved Deeply by God
God's love and blessing are available to us even in our brokenness, as He seeks a contrite spirit and a willingness to change.
David Wilkerson explores the life of Jacob, a man marked by deception and manipulation, yet profoundly loved by God. Despite Jacob's wrongdoings, God chose to bless him, demonstrating that His love transcends human flaws and failures. The sermon emphasizes God's unwavering promise to Jacob, assuring him of His presence and purpose, regardless of his past. Wilkerson highlights that God values a contrite and humble spirit, as seen in Jacob's heart, which was open to change. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to recognize that God sees beyond our mistakes and desires a relationship with those willing to be transformed.
Text
To me, one of the most interesting people in the Old Testament is Jacob, a deceiving, manipulating man. Yet God loved this man dearly.
Jacob had tricked his twin brother Esau out of his birthright and stolen the blessing from his father, Isaac -- a blessing that belonged to Esau. When Esau learned what Jacob had done, he was determined to kill his brother and that set off a long war between them. But in spite of that, the Lord brought Jacob into the covenant blessing of his grandfather, Abraham, and his father, Isaac (see Genesis 28:14). Then God added these wonderful blessings: "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you" (28:15).
God actually told him, "I'll never leave you, Jacob, and you can never make a move that I won't be involved in. My purposes will be accomplished in you, no matter what!"
What a promise! It is hard for me to find any faith, goodness or grace in Jacob, so how could he possibly be the covenant patriarch of God's eternal purpose? Actually, I'd want to ask the Lord, "What did you see in this man? You are holy and just, and you don't wink at the kinds of things he did. So why didn't you correct him instead of blessing him after he had stolen and deceived?"
God saw something in Jacob's heart that brought forth his great love and a desire to bless him. We read, "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15), and God knew that Jacob had a repentant, broken spirit.
We have heard that humans consider the outward appearance, but God always looks at the heart. He knew that something in Jacob's heart was willing to be changed.
And that is exactly what God is looking for in us!
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Love for the Broken
- A. Jacob's deception and manipulation
- B. God's covenant blessing despite Jacob's flaws
- C. God's promise to be with Jacob always
- II. God's Perspective vs. Human Perspective
- A. Humans judge by outward appearance
- B. God looks at the heart and seeks a contrite spirit
- III. God's Desire for Change
- A. Jacob's willingness to be changed
- B. God's promise to work in us despite our flaws
Key Quotes
“God actually told him, 'I'll never leave you, Jacob, and you can never make a move that I won't be involved in. My purposes will be accomplished in you, no matter what!'” — David Wilkerson
“We have heard that humans consider the outward appearance, but God always looks at the heart.” — David Wilkerson
“God saw something in Jacob's heart that brought forth his great love and a desire to bless him.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We should seek to understand God's perspective and not just judge others by their outward appearance.
- God desires to see a willingness to be changed and a contrite spirit in us.
- God's promise to be with us always is a reminder that He will not leave us even when we make mistakes.