[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-1015":3},"OCTOBER 15\r\nBy reason of breakings they purify themselves (Job 41:25).\r\n\r\nGod uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite   hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at\r\nPeniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual\r\npower. It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod, that let out the cool waters to thirsty\r\npeople.\r\nIt was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their\r\npitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden fights\r\nshone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured\r\nit forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support\r\nIt was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid\r\netiquette of a heathen court that she obtained favor to rescue her\r\npeople from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke\r\nthem, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking,\r\nsufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her\r\nbeautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the  pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His\r\nprecious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear,\r\nthat His inner fife was poured out like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and five.\r\nIt is when a beautiful grain of com is broken up in the earth by\r\nDEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, through history, and all\r\nbiography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual fife, God must have BROKEN THINGS.\r\nThose who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-Win, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and\r\nbroken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and\r\nbroken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for   God's glory. \"The lame take the prey,\" Isaiah tells us.\r\nO break my heart; but break it as a field\r\nIs by the plough up-broken for the corn;\r\nO break it as the buds, by green leaf sealed, Are, to unloose the golden blossom, torn;\r\nLove would I offer unto Love's great Master, Set free the odor, break the alabaster.\r\nO break my heart; break it victorious God, That life's eternal well may flash abroad;    O let it break as when the captive trees,\r\nBreaking cold bonds, regain their liberties;\r\nAnd as thought's sacred grove to life is springing, Be joys, like birds, their hope, Thy victory singing. --Thomas Toke Bunch.",1783499793946]