“GOD HEALS OUR BROKENNESS”
OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
NOVEMBER 18, 2021
READ: Ephesians 2:1–10
MEMORY VERSE
“By grace you have been saved, through faith.” Ephesians 2:8
BACKGROUND
Collin and his wife, Jordan, wandered through the craft store, looking for a picture to hang in their home. Collin thought he’d found just the right piece and called Jordan over to see it.
On the right side of the ceramic artwork was the word grace. But the left side held two long cracks. “Well, it’s broken!” Jordan said as she started looking for an unbroken one on the shelf. But then Collin said, “No. That’s the point. We’re broken and then grace comes in—period.”
They decided to purchase the one with the cracks. When they got to the checkout, the clerk exclaimed, “Oh, no, it’s broken!” “Yes, so are we,” Jordan whispered.
What does it mean to be a “broken” person? Someone defined it this way: A growing awareness that no matter how hard we try, our ability to make life work gets worse instead of better. It’s a recognition of our need for God and His intervention in our lives.
The apostle Paul talked about our brokenness in terms of being “dead in [our] transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). The answer to our need to be forgiven and changed comes in verses 4 and 5: “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive . . . . [It] is by grace [we] have been saved.”
God is willing to heal our brokenness with His grace when we admit, “I’m broken.”
By: Anne Cetas
INSIGHT
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians offers an inexpressibly wonderful end-time vision that’s easy to miss, even though he repeatedly mentions it.
While emphasizing the good things God has already done (2:1–6), he alludes to a far greater expression of grace that’s to be revealed “in the coming ages” (v. 7).
This all-encompassing goal of history is “to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ” (1:10; see 20–22).
It’s a reassuring and wonderful hope that Paul also refers to in other letters (Philippians 2:10–11; Colossians 1:20) and that the apostle John foresees in his revelation (Revelation 5:13–14).
By: Mart DeHaan
APPLICATION
What brought you to your need to ask God to heal your brokenness? How do you need Him today?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“And when Jesus heard this He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (broken). I came not to call the righteous but sinners”” Mark 2:17
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
What does it mean to be a “broken” person? Someone defined it this way: A growing awareness that no matter how hard we try, our ability to make life work gets worse instead of better… God is willing to heal our brokenness with His grace when we admit, “I’m broken.”
*YOUR TAKE? 
PRAYER
“God, thank You for being rich in mercy toward me! May I boast in You and Your gift of salvation through grace by faith.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“BROKEN VESSELS” Hillsong
All these pieces
Broken and scattered
In mercy gathered
Mended and whole
Empty-handed
But not forsaken
I’ve been set free
I’ve been set free
Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
Ooh-oh-oh-oh
I once was lost
But now I am found
Was blind but now I see
Oh, I can see You now
Oh, I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying Yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
You take our failure
You take our weakness
You set Your treasure
In jars of clay
So take this heart Lord
I’ll be your vessel
The world to see
Your life in me, oh
Amazing Grace…
Was blind but now I see
Oh, I can see you now
Oh, I can see the love in your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me…
I once was lost
But now I am found
Was blind but now I see
Oh, I can see you now
Oh, I can see the love in your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
Raising up the broken to life…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
THE BOOK OF IIKINGS CHAPTERS 15-20
THE BOOK OF I CORINTHIANS CHAPTERS 9-16