Having a broken and contrite heart can seem to be so contrary to success when so much of contemporary society prizes standing one’s ground at all cost.

There is a quote that is attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, the late illustrious military campaigner and Emperor of the French, that reads: “In politics, never retreat, never retract, never admit a mistake.”

Yet, in Psalm 51, we find David, at the height of his career as King of Israel and Commander of his army, repenting before God with a broken and contrite heart.

The defining moment came when Nathan, the prophet, confronted him on his sins of adultery and murder.

Rather than condemnation, that moment when David admitted his grave sins was also the moment when grace penetrated his heart in deeply redeeming ways.

The fruit of a broken spirit and a contrite heart was the very condition that rescued him from his condemnation. For it was in that condition, as he cried out to God, that God extended His mercy to him in full measure, blotted out his transgressions and cleansed him thoroughly of his sin.

Rather than insisting on appearing respectable, going before God with a broken and contrite heart is the very disposition that will bring healing and life, rather than ridicule and death.

The Lord is One who sees the heart, and He stoops to rescue those who come before Him with a broken spirit.

This Lent, let us give up the resistances of a stubborn heart, and choose instead to give God even the remnants of a broken heart.