2. Psalm 31:20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.

3. Business Signs:  Optometrist – “If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.”  Taxidermist – “We really know our stuff.”  Butcher – “Let me meat your needs.”  Muffler shop – “No appointment necessary. We’ll hear you coming.”  Garbage truck – “We’ve got what it takes to take what you’ve got.”  God – “I will not fix it until it’s broken.”

4. Psalm 31:12 (NIV) “I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.”

5.  When things are broken in your life, you are in trouble: 1.There is an Outward Problem Proverbs 25:28 Proverbs 25:28 (CEV) “ ” “ Losing self-control leaves you as helpless as a city without a wall. ” Psalm 31:6,17 “I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the L ORD. Let me not be put to shame, L ORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead.

6. 2. There is an Inward Problem Proverbs 15:13 “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. 3. There is an Upward Problem Prov. 25:19 “. “A friend you can’t trust in times of trouble is like having a toothache or a sore foot.”.

7. Rom. 8:28 ” And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ” And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 2 Cor. 4:17 ” For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” ” For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

8. Someone has said: “ Before God can use a man greatly, He must wound him deeply; before you can bless, you must bleed; before you can help, you must hurt.” “ Before God can use a man greatly, He must wound him deeply; before you can bless, you must bleed; before you can help, you must hurt.” Oswald Chamber: “ If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed – you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.” “ If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed – you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.”

9.  There is a clear pattern in the Bible that teaches us that brokenness precedes greatness: - Abraham - Jacob - Joseph - Job - Moses - Joshua - Samson - David - Daniel - Hosea - Peter - Paul

10. Watchman Nee: “Our spirit is released according to the degree of our brokenness. The one who has accepted the most discipline is the one who can best serve. The more one is broken, the more sensitive he is.” Oswald Chambers: “When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, or a broken friendship, or a new friendship – when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us.”

11. Jer. 18:4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Have thine own way, Lord Have thine own way Thou art the potter I am the clay Mold me and make me After thy will While I am waiting, Yielded and still.

12. A.There must be a Relationship Psalm 31:3,14 “Since you are my rock and my fortress,…” “But I trust in you, L ORD ; I say, “You are my God.” B. There must be a Reliance vs. 1 – “In you, L ORD, I have taken refuge;…” vs. 4 – “Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.”

13. vs. 5 – “Into your hands I commit my spirit;…” vs. 6 – “I trust in the L ORD.” vs. 14 – “But I trust in you, L ORD ;…” vs. 19 – “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” vs. 22 – “Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.” 1 Pet. 5:5,6 - “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

14. C. There must be a Realization. 1. God Cares 1. God Cares vs. 7 – “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. vs.9 – “Be merciful to me, L ORD, for I am in distress;…” vs.16 – “… save me in your unfailing love.” vs.19 – “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”

15. 2. God is in Control 2. God is in Control vs. 15 – “My times are in your hands;…” vs. 5 – “Into your hands I commit my spirit;…” 3. God Can 3. God Can vs. 4 – “Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.” vs. 4 – “Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.”

16. D. There must be a Rest vs.24 – “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the L ORD.”