What A Relief

What A Relief

A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench.

Isaiah 42:3

As important as it is to us, as to what Christ does do, it is equally as important as to what Christ does not do. Our text emphasizes this point very eloquently. ‘A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench.’ We understand from the very graphic description of yesterday’s discussion the reality of how we really are. Given that description, it is amazing that Christ does not ‘break’ us, who are often as the ‘bruised reed.’  He does not ‘quench’ us, who are often as ‘the smoking flax.’ Much of the compassion of Christ appears to us in His overwhelming restraint in not sweeping us away when we are not succeeding. While not an excuse for any real self-indulgence, this is a great relief of soul for us. We desire to succeed spiritually, but alas, often do not. We may find ourselves struggling in matters of faith and practice. It is amazing really that Christ does not sweep us away; yet He does not. This brings us to magnify the Mercy, Love, Compassion, and Grace of Christ towards us. It is a great relief of heart and soul to us to realize that Christ does not give up on us. Let us take a little time today to rejoice in the compassion that sticks with us even when we are not the ‘bright, shining examples’ that we want to be. Once again, here is reason to rejoice in Christ. He does not break us when we are as ‘the bruised reed.’ He does not ‘quench’ us when we are as ‘the smoking flax.’ For this we are greatly relieved, and in this we greatly rejoice.

Our most Patient and Wise God,
we praise You for Your Longsuffering.
We are mightily relieved by Your Patience,
and we rejoice in the privilege of knowing that You are so kind and merciful,
with us Your faltering people.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning