Bible League: Living His Word "A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He shall bring forth judgment unto truth."— Isaiah 42:3 NKJV As a servant of the Lord, do you ever feel burnt out, discouraged, depressed, despairing, hopeless, and even broken? I do and I know you probably do as well from time to time. This is just the reality of serving Jesus in a world that goes against His truth. The battle has been going on for a long time. Moses was so discouraged and despairing he asked God to kill him (Numbers 11:14-15). David and his men wept and wept over a defeat (1 Samuel 30:4). The Apostle Paul listed his ministry woes as described in 2 Corinthians 11. The prophet Elijah came to a place of exhaustion, unworthiness, and a lost sense of purpose in his dealings with Jezebel. As Christ suffered, we shall too as His servants (Romans 8:17-18). We've all been there. Perhaps you are there right now. Fear not my friend and let the peace of God that surpasses all understanding comfort you in this season. Paul, reflecting on his ministry journey, tells us he suffered the loss of all things and concluded that their value was only that of "dung" compared to what he gained in Christ (Philippians 3:8). Matthew records that Jesus healed "all who were ill" from a crowd that was following Him. Then he quotes from our passage in Isaiah to show how Jesus fulfilled the prophecy about the Messiah (Matthew 12:18-21). I find it interesting that Matthew is the one who captures this. I believe Matthew was a bruised reed feeling burnt out, perhaps despairing over the ministry challenges on top of his own personal challenges. He had been a dreaded tax collector; and being from the tribe of Levi, he had walked away from his religious heritage to follow Jesus. He became an outsider now in ministry to the outsiders. But Jesus sees it all. He sees and knows when His servants are weak and despairing. Discouraged and depressed. Burnt out and broken. Isaiah's prophecy speaks of the coming Messiah. As Jesus was "bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5), He understands the "bruised reed" in us. In all His miracle healings, Jesus was ministering to a bruised reed. He ministered to the bruised reeds gathered in the upper room after His death. He restored Peter in his condition as a bruised reed after denying the Lord. God will never despise a broken spirit or contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). He will not despise the prayers of the destitute (Psalm 102:17). "A bruised reed He shall not break. A smoking flax He shall not quench." "A bruised reed He shall not break" is a picture of one bent and weak in the service of the Lord. A servant may be overwhelmed but also gloriously peaceful in knowing that it is Jesus who promises to mend and restore the bruised reed. "A smoking flax He shall not quench" is a picture of barely hanging in there in one's service to the Lord. You may feel like your fire is gone, your zeal and passion are empty, you are just an ember barely smoking. And yet we can be at peace knowing that Jesus will never let the smoking flax flame out completely. As long as there is smoke, there can be fire. Fire for the Lord! It is Jesus who promises to rekindle your fire so that your light can shine brightly again, unhidden, to be seen by all for His glory. The Prophet Elijah in his despairing could do nothing but cry out to God. It is in that moment the Lord met him and reassured him in a still, small voice that He was there for Elijah. It is the same Lord and same promise to you beloved servant of Christ. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus will always be our comforter, our restorer, our peace (Ephesians 2:14). May our Lord's peace be upon you and with you, beloved servant of the most high. May your bruises be healed and restored, and may your flax burn brightly as you continue to serve and share His truth for His judgment. By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Samuel 17, 18 2 Samuel 17 -- Hushai's Warning Saves David NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Samuel 18 -- Absalom Slain by Joab; David Mourns NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 21:1-19 Luke 21 -- The Widow's Gift; Signs of the End of the Age NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.Insight Solomon summarized all his attempts at finding life's meaning as “chasing the wind.” We feel the wind as it passes, but we can't catch hold of it or keep it. In all our accomplishments, even the big ones, our good feelings are only temporary. Security and self-worth are not found in these accomplishments, but far beyond them in the love of God. Challenge Think about what you consider worthwhile in your life—where you place your time, energy, and money. Will you one day look back and decide that these, too, were “chasing the wind”? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 67:6 God, even our own God.It is strange how little use we make of the spiritual blessings which God gives us, but it is stranger still how little use we make of God himself. Though he is "our own God," we apply ourselves but little to him, and ask but little of him. How seldom do we ask counsel at the hands of the Lord! How often do we go about our business, without seeking his guidance! In our troubles how constantly do we strive to bear our burdens ourselves, instead of casting them upon the Lord, that he may sustain us! This is not because we may not, for the Lord seems to say, "I am thine, soul, come and make use of me as thou wilt; thou mayst freely come to my store, and the oftener the more welcome." It is our own fault if we make not free with the riches of our God. Then, since thou hast such a friend, and he invites thee, draw from him daily. Never want whilst thou hast a God to go to; never fear or faint whilst thou hast God to help thee; go to thy treasure and take whatever thou needest--there is all that thou canst want. Learn the divine skill of making God all things to thee. He can supply thee with all, or, better still, he can be to thee instead of all. Let me urge thee, then, to make use of thy God. Make use of him in prayer. Go to him often, because he is thy God. O, wilt thou fail to use so great a privilege? Fly to him, tell him all thy wants. Use him constantly by faith at all times. If some dark providence has beclouded thee, use thy God as a "sun;" if some strong enemy has beset thee, find in Jehovah a "shield," for he is a sun and shield to his people. If thou hast lost thy way in the mazes of life, use him as a "guide," for he will direct thee. Whatever thou art, and wherever thou art, remember God is just what thou wantest, and just where thou wantest, and that he can do all thou wantest. Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;Job 14:1,2 "Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. • "Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain. 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 Corinthians 15:22,54 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. • But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. Romans 14:8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Hebrews 10:35-37 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. • For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. • FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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