Daily Devotional

A Ministry of the Kerwin Baptist Church

October 24, 2018

by Pastor Hawtree

I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:

TO BEND US WITHOUT BREAKING US

Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law

EXPLANATION:
BRUISED REED
A bruised reed – The word ‘reed’ means the cane or calamus which grows up in marshy or wet places (Isaiah 36:6; Isaiah 43:24). The word literally denotes that which is fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind, or broken down; and stands in contrast with a lofty and firm tree.

* Matthew 11:7 ‘What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?’

The word here, therefore, may be applied to people who are moved and broken by circumstances or failure; that feel that they have no strength to bear up against the ills of life. The word ‘bruised’ means that which is broken or crushed, but not entirely broken off.

JESUS DOESN’T BRAKE THE BRUISED
Jesus never discouraged anyone. If there was any life or hope left in a situation, Jesus capitalized on it! When Peter sank, Jesus noticed his “little” faith. Jesus welcomed Stephen home by standing. While Paul was at a low point in his life, Jesus came and stood by him in jail. Jesus encouraged a backslidden Peter to get back to serving God.
During the storm in Matthew 14:27, He told the disciples not to fear. Jesus told the woman who was caught in adultery that she could be forgiven (John 8:3).

* John6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

God will not break the bruised reed. Maybe the winds of life have bent you. Maybe the storms of circumstances have bruised and battered your strength. Maybe your reed has been damaged by others or even by yourself. If your reed is still alive, He can still use it.
God doesn’t quit! Verse four says He never gets “discouraged”, and there is something in your life God can use. God loves to take broken Reeds and mend them, fix them, rehabilitate them, nurture them. I am persuaded that He is able.