A BRUISED REED AND SMOLDERING WICK

Have you noticed the reeds at the edge of a river bank, a pond or a lake?  Is there anything more frail than a bruised reed?  They become bent over.  Once they were tall, sturdy river grass, they are now bowed and bent.  Did you know that reeds are used in musical instruments?  If they are bent and bruised they would only give out squeaky music.

Are you a bruised reed?  Did you once stand tall and proud?  You were upright and sturdy.  Then something happened.  Have you had sorrow and grief that bowed you over?  Do you have memories of abuse caused by those who were supposed to love and care for you?  The list could go on and on.  The world is full of bruised people, and we all know them. People hurt by the past, people who are bruised and beaten down, seemingly no hope.  Our God is the God of the wounded heart.  He’s the God who knows all the dreams and desires of our hearts.  Jesus came not to crush a bruised reed but  to heal with His gentle touch.

In the book of Isaiah, we see a beautiful prophecy of Jesus, the coming Messiah: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.  I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to the nations.  He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.  In faithfulness, he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.  In his law, the islands will put their hope.”  Isaiah 42:1-4

In Matthew 12:20, we see Jesus fulfilling that promise, that prophecy given by the prophet Isaiah.  “

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”

Are you bowed down today? Do you know someone who is bowed down and needs the gentle touch of the Master?  “The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”  Psalm 145:14

He alone can lift up the bruised and broken reed and bring restoration and healing.

And what about the smoldering wick?  In Jesus’ time the wick or flax floated in the olive oil in a pottery type lamp.  It was once aflame, now flickering and failing.  It is still warm from yesterday’s passion, but no fire.  It is not yet cold, but far from hot.

Was it that long ago that you blazed with faith, witnessing, ministering to others, walking in the Spirit?  But what happened?  The wind came, the wind of adversity, trials.  You took your eyes off of Jesus and looked at your circumstances.  You got away from those precious times with Him in His Word and in prayer.  The constant wind bore down upon you.  Oh, you stood strong for a while, but the endless blast whipped your flickering flame.

It won’t take much to relight the flame, and it won’t take much to snuff it out entirely.  Jesus keeps the spiritual fires burning within by the power of the Holy Spirit.  A fire keeps burning as long as the coals stay close together.  However,  when they get separated the fire goes out.  As long as we stay close to the Lord  and let Him help us our light still shines and our fire doesn’t go out.

Pray, read His Word and hide His Word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him.  Stay in fellowship with other Christians to encourage one another.  When we take our eyes off Jesus, we will fall, our fire will become a smoldering wick.

Jesus Himself told us in Matthew 11:28: “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The Jewish people to whom Jesus was speaking were burdened with 628 different commands and requirements in the tradition of the Pharisees of their day.  Is it any wonder then that the people flocked to Jesus, who spoke with such gentle and loving authority?  He told them of His Heavenly Father, who has His children obey Him out of love and not from fear of punishment.

So, in conclusion, the Lord wants you to stand tall, not bent over and bruised from the past, receiving His healing touch.  Keep the oil burning in your lamp, don’t allow circumstances to take your eyes off of Jesus.

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I pray for all those who are bruised and feel like they are beaten down with past hurts and circumstances.  Lift them up, Lord, and help them to stand tall.  And those who have let their wick burn low, I pray that their fire will again burn brightly and they will be a light in this dark world.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Pastor Sharon