Brokenness Leads to Breakthrough | Judges 20:26-28

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is Judges 20:26-28.

Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And the people of Israel inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, ministered before it in those days), saying, “Shall we go out once more to battle against our brothers, the people of Benjamin, or shall we cease?” And the Lord said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hand.” — Judges 20:26-28

Something changes here. After two crushing defeats, Israel finally hits bottom. This time they don’t just cry—they fast. They don’t just speak—they sacrifice. They don’t just ask God for permission—they seek presence.

This is the turning point of the entire chapter. Their breakdown becomes the moment of breakthrough. They finally humble themselves—not to win a war, but to be right with God. This is where we see the truth that brokenness leads to breakthrough in action—the moment hearts yield, heaven moves.

Sometimes we want God to fix our circumstances without fixing our hearts. We want him to change our marriage, our finances, our friendships—but not our pride. We want peace without repentance and victory without surrender.

But God’s breakthrough always begins with breakdown. He doesn’t bless arrogance; He honors humility. When we fast, pray, and repent, we realign our hearts to his will, not ours.

Think of it like this: in a struggling marriage, both spouses may pray for change, but until one person decides to lay down pride—to listen, confess, and forgive—nothing changes. The same is true in our faith. God doesn’t move through prideful hearts, but through broken ones.

If you’re longing for breakthrough today, stop fighting for control and start surrendering your heart. God isn’t holding back your victory—He’s waiting for your surrender. Breakdown leads to breakthrough every time.

ASK THIS:

1. What area of my life needs both repentance and renewal?
2. Am I fasting or praying for results, or to be closer to God?
3. Where have I been asking for breakthrough but resisting surrender?
4. What would humility look like in my relationships today?

DO THIS:

• Choose one day this week to fast and pray for humility before God.
• Write out a prayer of confession, asking God to reveal areas of pride or resistance.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, thank You for using my breakdowns to draw me closer to You. I surrender my pride, my plans, and my pace. Help me find breakthrough not by pushing harder but by bowing lower. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace).”