'‘A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.” Those words from the prophet Isaiah were describing the compassion of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Picture a shoreline with lily pads and tall reeds. I am amazed when I see a bird somehow balancing on the top of one of those strong reeds. And then right next to the strong reeds are some which are bent over, weakened by wind or storm, age, or whatever, but still hanging on. Now picture a candle which you have just blown out. The bright flame is gone but a glowing ember still remains, keeping it alive. Bruised reeds and smoldering wicks describe you and me at different times of our lives. Things are going great and then the storm hits. The crisis comes with a phone call in the night or a doctor who needs to see us immediately We were strong and now we are weak. We become bruised reeds, bent over by fear or worry or unanswered questions. Our light which once burned brightly is now but a glowing ember. The good news is Jesus Christ is there for you in your time of greatest weakness. When you have reached the end of your resources you can come to Him. He is not there to condemn you.

He is not waiting to say, “I told you so.” He is not there to break off the bruised reed or snuff out the smoldering wick but to renew, restore and rescue. We must come to him on his terms however, which means honestly The Bible says, “You will seek me and you will find me if you seek me with all your heart”. All your heart simply means you are sincere. You are not looking for a handout from God but a renovation. When you do something with all of your heart it means you are all in. You are serious. And if you are serious and want God’s help and direction and His peace to take you through your storm then He will be there, every time.

God is faithful, meaning you can count on Him. When you need strength, He will give you strength. When you need courage, He will give you courage. When you have a need, He will give you what you need, knowing what you really need rather than what you think you need.

If you feel like a bruised reed he is there waiting to help.

Pastor Randy Berg @calvaryhastings.org