In Lord, Break Me!, William MacDonald explains that God puts a premium on broken things - especially on broken people. That is why we read such verses as: "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit" (Psalm 34:18). "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17).

God knows how to resist the proud and haughty, but he cannot resist a person who is humble and contrite. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). There is something in our brokenness that appeals to his compassion and power. And so part of his wonderful purpose for our lives is that we should be broken - broken in heart, broken in spirit, and broken even in body.

Think what it would mean in our individual lives, in our homes, in the local church, and in the business world if we were all broken as we should be.

What is meant by true brokenness? How does it manifest itself in a believer's life?

The daily prayer of the submissive saint is reflected in the words of the hymn: Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the Potter; I am the clay. Mould me and make me after thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.

A word about the author: William MacDonald (1917-2007) was born in Massachusetts. His parents were from the Isle of Lewis and when he was six years old, his family moved to Stornoway, Scotland, later moving back to Massachusetts.

A commended worker for 60 years, a teacher, preacher, mentor, and author of 84 books, including the Believer's Bible Commentary, William MacDonald was a man who said and wrote much. Yet, for those who knew him well, it was his life that left the greatest impression.