Psalm 66:10-12 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

This passage should encourage anyone that’s in the midst of a trial.

There’s a reason why we’re going through these things. God is trying us, He is testing us, He is proving us. And in the end, the Lord is going to bring us to a better place. A place of peace, a place of greater abundance. Because when you look back at previous trials, you are amazed at how the Lord kept you. How God took you to the end of it, how God brought you out.

Because we face the challenge of living for God in a prosperous nation (western world), we forget about the importance and benefit of being broken. Desperation and brokenness can bring us to a new dimension in God through which no other doors may lead. Through our trials God can bring us there, because we are broken and we seek God in prayer and faith with all our hearts and thus we have the victory.

Often, it is only when we become broken that God can change us.

1. brokeness is a feature of repentance
2. brokeness is the key to travail and overcoming prayer

God hears the cries of those that seek Him.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart; These, O God, You will not despise.

Additional verses to study: Psalm 126:6; Isaiah 48:10; Lamentations 3:40; Daniel 12,10; Hebrews 12,11; Acts 14,22