A Bruised Reed

Posted on

He will not crush the weakest reed
    or put out a flickering candle.

~Isaiah 42:3, NLT

The world may see our weakness as a reason to give up on us. Jesus sees our weakness as an opportunity to demonstrate His grace.

~Theo Pennington

Richard Sibbes the Puritan wrote and entire book based on Isaiah 42:3 and the quote in Matthew 12:20…He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. The bruised, bent or weak reed and the flickering candle represent the weak and worthless. Reeds were used for a lot of things in the ancient world; especially for writing instruments and for making baskets. Reeds were very common and so a damaged reed was quickly cast aside. To be useful, the reed needs to be straight and hollow at the core. It was like a big straw so if it got bent or crushed, it was considered unuseful. The flickering candle is also a picture of weakness because it produces little to no light which was the whole purpose of a candle. Sibbes point is that we servants of Christ are all bruised reeds, we have been damaged by the fall. I readily admit to being a bruised, broken and unproductive.

The good news is: Jesus does not discard the bruised reed; He by His infinite grace and mercy restores the bruised reed. Some Christians are like the bruised reed. Life has been hard. Disappointments, grief, failures, and suffering have left them bent and battered. Others are like the smoldering wick or flickering candle. Their faith is weak, their joy has diminished, and their spiritual fire seems almost extinguished. Christ is a gentle Savior. He is never harsh or hateful to His struggling followers. Thank goodness, He does not discard the weak or cast us aside when we fail. Jesus knows the difference between a believer that is struggling and a soul in rebellion. The world has a tendency to give up on the weak but not Jesus. If you are discouraged today, remember this: You may be bruised, but you are not beyond His healing. Your flame may be faint, but you are not beyond His restoring power. Jesus does not throw away what He came to redeem, and that is good news for all of us!

  • Carol is out of quarantine and able to visit Bill. I know Bill is thrilled. Steve and I had planned to go this evening but I had forgotten a gastro doctor appointment and Josie’s last soccer game of the year is today at Wallace.
  • This Wednesday night: LOVING THE BRETHERN 1 Peter 1:22-25
  • October 25—Trunk-A-Treat
  • October 26 we host the MORGAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING and we serve lunch.
  • Sunday night November 1 at 5:00 pm…The Bill Smith Jambalaya Supper
  • Wednesday November 4, Mid-week day service at 10:30.

Have a Terrific Tuesday and thanks for reading the blog!!!!

Leave a Reply