From Brokenness to Broad Places: Seeking God's Presence
Summary
Thank you, Harvest family, for your faithfulness and partnership in the work God is doing in Sri Lanka and beyond. Over the past 20 years, we have witnessed God move in miraculous ways, transforming hostile and overlooked communities through persistent love, prayer, and creative outreach. Even in the midst of persecution and adversity, the Lord has opened doors, allowing us to plant churches and build bridges where it once seemed impossible. This is a testimony to the power of unity, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of God’s heart for the nations.
Reflecting on the journey, both in ministry and personally, it’s clear that God specializes in taking us from broken places to broader places. David’s story in Psalm 118 reminds us that distress and hardship are not the end of the story. When we call on the Lord from our places of pain, He not only hears but answers, bringing us into a place of freedom, safety, and new opportunity. The “broad place” is not just a physical change, but a spiritual reality where God’s presence brings hope, restoration, and purpose.
Seeking God is not a passive act; it requires intentionality, focus, and sometimes even aggression—especially when life presses in on every side. Like David, and even in my own life, there have been seasons of loss, disappointment, and confusion. Yet, it is in these very moments that God invites us to seek Him more deeply, to pursue Him beyond our comfort zones, and to trust that He is working even when we cannot see it. The testimony of restoration—recovering all that was lost—comes not from giving up, but from pressing in, refusing to let pain or success distract us from the One who is our true source.
We are reminded, too, by the story of King Uzziah, that prosperity and strength can become stumbling blocks if they lead us away from seeking God. The call is to remain humble, to keep seeking, and to make room for God in every season. As we do, He delights in us, lifts us from our brokenness, and sets us in a broad place—a place of freedom, impact, and harvest. Let us be a people who seek God in new ways, who allow Him to carry us through the dark roads, and who trust Him to turn our hardest places into harvest fields for His glory.
Key Takeaways
- God Transforms Brokenness into Opportunity
Even in the most hostile or painful circumstances, God is able to take what is broken and turn it into a place of freedom and impact. David’s journey from distress to a broad place is a pattern for all who trust God in adversity. Our limitations and pain are not barriers, but invitations for God to display His power and faithfulness. [19:51]
- Seeking God Requires Intentional Pursuit
True seeking is not casual or convenient; it demands focus, effort, and sometimes a willingness to push past comfort and routine. Like an athlete in competition, we are called to pursue God with determination, especially when obstacles arise. This kind of seeking positions us to receive answers and breakthroughs that surface-level faith cannot access. [22:29]
- Restoration Follows Relentless Faithfulness
The promise of “recovering all” is given to those who, like David, refuse to let disappointment or loss drive them away from God. Instead, they inquire of the Lord, even when everything seems lost. Restoration is not just about regaining what was taken, but about being transformed in the process—learning to trust God’s character above our circumstances. [36:03]
- Success Can Become a Spiritual Danger
The story of King Uzziah warns that the very blessings and strengths God gives can become obstacles if they lead to pride or self-reliance. Continual seeking keeps our hearts humble and dependent on God, ensuring that prosperity does not become our downfall. The true measure of success is not achievement, but ongoing intimacy with God. [40:20]
- God’s Presence Carries Us Through the Darkest Seasons
When we feel alone, misunderstood, or on the verge of stumbling, God is closer than we realize—often carrying us when we cannot walk ourselves. His love and faithfulness are not dependent on our strength or consistency, but on His unchanging character. In every season, He invites us to trust Him, to let Him lead us from brokenness to a place of safety, freedom, and purpose. [49:16]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Greetings and Global Family
[02:45] - Sri Lanka: From War to Mission
[05:30] - Entering Hostile Communities
[07:55] - Church Planting and Community Impact
[10:40] - Celebrating 20 Years of Partnership
[13:54] - Jesus: The Answer for the World
[15:30] - From Broken Place to Broader Place
[17:37] - David’s Distress and Seeking God
[21:03] - Aggressively Pursuing God
[24:33] - Personal Testimony: Turning Point
[28:22] - God Seeks the Seeker
[31:38] - Spiritual Combat and Perseverance
[34:38] - Restoration After Loss
[38:03] - King Uzziah: The Peril of Success
[42:51] - Making Room for God
[44:35] - The Broad Place: Freedom and Purpose
[46:30] - A Call to Seek God Anew
[48:00] - Jesus Carries Us Through
[50:01] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: From Broken Place to Broader Place
---
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 118:5-6
"I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
- 1 Samuel 30:5-8, 18-19
(David inquires of the Lord after loss at Ziklag and God promises and brings restoration: “David inquired of the Lord… and David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken.”)
- 2 Chronicles 26:5, 15-16, 21
(King Uzziah sought God and prospered, but when he became strong, pride led to his downfall: “As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper… But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, to his destruction…”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 118:5-6, what does David say happened when he called on the Lord in his distress?
(see [16:39])
2. According to the sermon, what does the “broad place” represent in David’s story?
(see [19:51])
3. What pattern do we see in David’s response to loss and hardship in 1 Samuel 30?
(see [36:03])
4. What happened to King Uzziah as long as he sought the Lord, and what changed when he became strong?
(see [39:33])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God sometimes allows us to experience “broken places” before bringing us into a “broad place”?
(see [19:51])
2. The sermon describes seeking God as something that requires intentionality and even “aggression.” What does it mean to seek God aggressively, and why might this be necessary in times of distress?
(see [22:29])
3. In the story of King Uzziah, how did success become a stumbling block, and what warning does this give to us about our own strengths or achievements?
(see [40:20])
4. The pastor shared a personal story of loss and restoration. How does this testimony help us understand the difference between giving up and pressing in during hard times?
(see [24:33])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon says that “our limitations and pain are not barriers, but invitations for God to display His power and faithfulness.” Can you think of a time when your own pain or limitation became an opportunity for God to work? How did you respond?
(see [19:51])
2. Seeking God is described as requiring focus and effort, not just convenience. What is one area of your life where you have been seeking God casually? What would it look like to pursue Him more intentionally this week?
(see [22:29])
3. The story of David at Ziklag shows that restoration comes to those who keep seeking God even after loss. Is there something in your life that feels lost or broken right now? What would it look like for you to “inquire of the Lord” about it?
(see [36:03])
4. King Uzziah’s story warns that success can lead to pride and self-reliance. Are there any areas where you have become self-reliant or complacent in your walk with God? How can you return to a posture of seeking Him?
(see [40:20])
5. The pastor shared about feeling alone and realizing that God was carrying him through the hardest seasons. When you look back at your own life, can you identify a time when God was carrying you, even if you didn’t realize it at the time?
(see [29:23])
6. The sermon calls us to “make room for God in every season.” What is one practical way you can make more room for God in your daily routine this week?
(see [42:51])
7. The message ends with a challenge to seek God in new ways and trust Him to turn hard places into harvest fields. What is one “hard place” in your life or community that you can begin to pray over and ask God to use for His glory?
(see [46:30])
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, especially for those who feel they are in a “broken place,” asking God to bring them into a “broad place” of freedom, restoration, and purpose.
Devotional
Day 1: Broken Places Become Launchpads for God’s Power
God’s ability to transform brokenness into opportunity is a profound truth that invites believers to see hardship not as a dead end but as fertile ground for divine intervention. Even in the most hostile or painful circumstances, God’s presence can bring freedom and impact where none seemed possible. The journey from distress to a broad place, as seen in David’s life, reveals that limitations and pain are not barriers but invitations for God to display His faithfulness and power. When you face difficult seasons, remember that God is actively working to turn your brokenness into a testimony of hope and restoration. [19:51]
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.”
— Psalm 138:7 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one painful or challenging situation in your life that you can begin to view as an opportunity for God’s transformative power today? How can you intentionally invite Him to work in that area?
Day 2: Pursuing God with Intentionality and Grit
Seeking God is not a casual or convenient act; it requires deliberate focus, effort, and sometimes a willingness to push beyond comfort zones. Like an athlete training for competition, spiritual pursuit demands determination, especially when life’s obstacles press in from every side. This kind of intentional seeking positions you to receive breakthroughs and answers that surface-level faith cannot access. When you commit to aggressively pursuing God, you open yourself to deeper intimacy and greater clarity, even in seasons of confusion or loss. [22:29]
“But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
— Psalm 59:16 (ESV)
Reflection: What specific spiritual disciplines or practices can you adopt or deepen this week to pursue God more intentionally, especially when distractions or difficulties arise?
Day 3: Restoration Is the Reward of Relentless Faith
Restoration is promised to those who refuse to let disappointment or loss drive them away from God. Like David, those who inquire of the Lord even when everything seems lost will experience not only recovery but transformation. Restoration is more than regaining what was taken; it is a process of learning to trust God’s character above circumstances. This relentless faithfulness invites God to renew hope, heal wounds, and bring new purpose. When you feel depleted or broken, pressing in with faith rather than giving up positions you to receive God’s full restoration. [36:03]
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to practice relentless faithfulness today, trusting God to restore what feels lost or broken?
Day 4: Guarding the Heart Against the Danger of Success
Success and strength, while blessings from God, can become spiritual stumbling blocks if they lead to pride or self-reliance. The story of King Uzziah warns believers to remain humble and dependent on God, regardless of their achievements. Continual seeking of God keeps the heart soft and open, preventing prosperity from becoming a downfall. True success is measured not by accomplishments but by ongoing intimacy with God. As you experience growth or blessing, ask God to guard your heart and keep you rooted in humility and dependence. [40:20]
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
— Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate humility in your current season of success or strength to ensure your heart remains fully dependent on God?
Day 5: God’s Presence Sustains Us Through Darkness
In the darkest seasons—when you feel alone, misunderstood, or on the verge of stumbling—God’s presence is closer than you realize. Often, He carries you when you cannot walk on your own. His love and faithfulness do not depend on your strength or consistency but on His unchanging character. Every season is an invitation to trust Him, allowing Him to lead you from brokenness into a place of safety, freedom, and purpose. When life feels overwhelming, remember that God is your constant companion and sustainer. [49:16]
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed or weak today, how can you practically remind yourself of God’s nearness and invite Him to carry you through?
Quotes
And the Bible clearly says that even though he was going through such a torment, such a trauma in his life, instead of being offended with God and going his way, he chose to draw closer to God. Amen? These are heroes in the faith. [00:18:16] (25 seconds)
In the phase of adversity, there is a new day. Amen? And it says how, as he called on the Lord in spite of his pain, as he called on the Lord in spite of his confusion and his disappointment and his hurt and rejection, it says that the Lord answered him. [00:18:54] (29 seconds)
What it means by seeking God is not just surface level. Seeking God requires effort. It requires priority. It requires focus. It requires something beyond your convenience. [00:22:03] (19 seconds)
So, one athlete has that ball, and then he goes, and there are others that are pushing every obstacle so that he can make it. That's how it is with the Lord and you. Amen? He knows that there are obstacles in the way, but it's a mind shift. It's a mind change. Seeking God, meaning aggressively pursue God. [00:22:57] (24 seconds)
I mean, I had no desire, and so I came up, and then he said, son, you are running with all your might, but in the wrong direction, if you recommit your life to the Lord, he will make up for the lost years, for the wasted years. He didn't say wasted or lost investment. That's what a businessman wants to hear. Return on investment. Okay, Lord, I've lost this investment. [00:25:29] (26 seconds)
God will make up for the wasted years. Then Pastor Mike was next to him, and he tucked my hand under his arm, and boy, he took me all around the auditorium, and I'm like, I'm new to this place. I don't know anyone yet, and I'm thinking, Lord, what do they think of me? Like, they may be, others may be thinking I'm crazy, but I mean, you know your past, okay? Yeah, when he's on a mission. So he took me all around the room, and I'm running, but I was in a trauma. I was in so much pain that I just didn't know what was going on. Some of you may be like that right now. I mean, you just do not know what's happening. He took me all, and that hall was pretty big, okay? So by the time I came up, I was kind of tired also, but Pastor Mike is more fit, and so, and then he said, God has called you as a preacher, and he gave me the mic and said, preach, and I'm like, what do I say? Like, and he said, God has given you a second chance, and that was my turning point experience, to draw closer to God, amen, to draw closer to God, and I had to be aggressive in that moment of time to say, Lord, that's my answer. You are my answer. Lord, you are all that I need to put my life together, and I remember going before God and said, Lord, if you can make something good out of me, I give you my all, and that's what the Lord did over 20 years since then, amen. [00:26:04] (89 seconds)
God is searching for them who are seeking Him. How amazing is this? Could it be that in this season, God is searching in a new way to see for someone who is seeking Him in a new way? Come on. And could that person be you today? [00:28:33] (25 seconds)
Can you see what a potential of a privilege you and I have when we seek God aggressively, when we seek God in a different way than we've sought God before, out of our comfort zones and out of our place of convenience. [00:30:36] (27 seconds)
Today we've got attitude, come on. We together have an attitude to say that I'm not done, to say enough is enough, in spite of my brokenness, in spite of my disappointment, I'm going to rise up in a new way and seek God with all of my heart and be aggressive about it. [00:31:38] (21 seconds)
My whole life was falling apart. So painful. And some of you who knows pain, I mean, you touch any part of your body, it's painful. It could be a finger, a hand, a toe, it's still painful. That's how it's sometimes. But faith will find you where you are and lift you to that broader place. Amen. So in spite of David, being disappointed with God, again he sought the Lord and God answered him and God restored everything that David lost. So David was an individual that sought the Lord. He kept seeking God all the days of his life in spite of his circumstances because he had a true revelation revelation of the faithfulness of God. [00:38:03] (54 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?