A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break


A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not quench; He will bring forth justice in truth. – Isaiah 42:3

The above verse (and its counterpart of Matthew 12:20) was one of the first scriptures I put to memory as a struggling teenager. Waffling between one foot in the world and the other in the kingdom of God, these words calmed my heart and gave me hope and courage to move more fully toward Christ.

They have remained a continual and life-transforming beacon of hope throughout my Christian experience as Jesus’ compassion triumphs over my inadequacies time and again. Never once does He break me when my strength is waning. Instead, He comes with healing and hope. His partnered justice and mercy stand in the gap, proclaiming Calvary’s victory is mine.

Jesus trades my brokenness for a wholeness made possible through His own body broken for me. His blood spilled out in a consuming love, consumes the worst of me, and steadies my tottering faith. Resurrection power fans this smoldering wick, igniting it with gentleness as I crumble before an empty tomb and proclaim, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”

When all I see are impossible odds and a flagging faith struggling to stay burning, my Savior realizes the possibility of a disciple strengthened by His Spirit.

Jesus restores what the enemy means to ruin and crush, bringing beauty in the most unlikely places. There is healing here despite the breaking. And an Easter sunrise to grant light to the darkest of days. And of souls.

Far from breaking us, our Redeemer will bind and heal. Far from quenching our smoldering wicks, He will blow the breath of Spirit life upon us and stir us to flame. He does not oppress nor extinguish those of little strength but brings life where it seems nearly extinct.

So come with your bruised and battered soul. Draw near with your dimly burning spirit, and allow His love to stir you to life once more. Then go and do likewise, encouraged by His grace to follow His example in a broken and despairing world.

Take heart, Beloved. His truth will always have the final say.

And that is Good News — in every sense of the Word.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3

This post was written in conjunction with https://fiveminutefriday.com/2023/03/30/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-break/ Teaming up with an online group of writers who encourage others to share the words God has given them. The gist is to write for five minutes on a one-word prompt, then post your writing and link up with others who do the same — no overthinking, no deep editing, just free-writing in a short amount of time.

11 Comments

  1. Terri

    What a beautiful blog. It is amazing to me that one word can inspire so many different people to creatively share a message about the love of God in so many different ways. That is indeed a great Bible verse.

    Terri #4 FMF

  2. This post was both beautiful and encouraging. “Far from breaking us, our Redeemer will bind and heal … He will blow the breath of Spirit life upon us.” His Word breathes life into us each day as we come and take in the word of life. “Take heart, Beloved. His truth will always have the final say.” Amen!

  3. Michaela Maree

    “His blood spilled out in a consuming love, consumes the worst of me, and steadies my tottering faith.” This line really hit home in such a needed way. I often forget that his love consumes the worst of me and that it is sufficient! Thank you~

  4. There are days when my strength fails,
    well, every day, if truth be told,
    and there is nothing that avails
    but the willingness to be so bold
    and stand before the Throne of Grace
    that I may receive an answer,
    middle finger in God’s face,
    “Why this now, Lord, yeah, why the cancer?
    We just got clear of bankruptcy!
    All had started to come ’round
    with a purpose, so smoothly!
    Why must we be cruelly bound
    to a life, pain beyond measure…
    and then You say, “You are My treasure!”

  5. I’ve really grown to love that verse (and mentioned it in my FMF post) but I remember that I used to be quite puzzled by the meaning. As you’ve shared, and I’ve learned, it really speaks to gentleness and patience of Jesus and how thankful I am for that! Your words are beautiful, thank you for sharing. Visiting from FMF#13

  6. “When all I see are impossible odds and a flagging faith struggling to stay burning, my Savior realizes the possibility of a disciple strengthened by His Spirit.” Wow! So true.

  9. Barbara, this is thoroughly beautiful. The Good News is truly one of hope in His great love. Tonight I was at the Maundy Thursday last supper, foot washing and Jesus’ agony in the garden of Gesemane, as His passion begins. He truly shows His love as an example – but we know how this one ends! Praise be to God. He is risen indeed. Dawn #27

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