God's Servant Strengthens the Bruised Reed

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment {justice} unto truth. (Isaiah 42:3)

A bruised reed is a reed that has lost its strength and can be broken easily. A smoking flax is the wick of a lamp that has burned down, giving a dim light.

Human beings often are as bruised reeds and dimly-burning wicks. We are so battered by life that we come near to the breaking point. The light and strength of our life in many cases has nearly been destroyed.

What is the attitude of God in Christ toward the weak and oppressed? What should be the attitude of the stronger members of the Body of Christ toward the unsaved, and toward those Christians who are having difficulty serving God and making their way through the wilderness of life as they seek the city that has foundations?

The Servant of the Lord does not despise the weak. He does not flaunt His spiritual strength, His ability to choose God over Satan, His knowledge of God, His strength in the battle against the enemies of the Lord (Philippians 2:5-8).

The Servant of the Lord keeps on looking for ways to bring strength to the weak and the oil of the Holy Spirit to those whose light is going out.

Some Christians are spiritually strong. They are conquerors. They are eligible for the glorious rewards mentioned in the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation. They are kings and priests of God. They are the heirs of all things in joint account with the Lord Jesus Christ.

But many other believers are not strong. They are not victorious saints. They are not victorious in battle. They are not strong in the Lord. What about them?

It is the will of God that the strong assist the weak (Romans 15:1).

In the Church of Christ there are those who have been given a double portion of spiritual strength. Christian literature tells of the lives of many of God's heroes of faith. Doubtless there were, and yet are, many strong saints who are not well known.

The Lord's victorious saints do not receive spiritual strength in order to make them proud. Rather, those who receive much Divine grace are charged with the responsibility of assisting their brothers and sisters in the Lord.

. . . For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: . . . . (Luke 12:48)

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1)

Our attitude toward our weaker brothers and sisters is improved when we realize God loves them just as human parents love their handicapped or sick children. God is a Father, not a harsh taskmaster who never can be pleased no matter how hard we try, who despises his weak children, who forever is cracking the whip over us and blaming us for our weaknesses and shortcomings. Such is not the personality of the Lord.

God always is encouraging us, always inviting us to better things, always cheerful and confident concerning the future, always looking for ways in which to help us along. This is not to say God does not respond in anger toward those who willfully scorn His Word (Hebrews 10:26,27)!

But in the case of so many of the weaker believers, they have no intention of scorning God's Word. They are weary, discouraged, and frightened because they know that one day they will stand before God. It is to such people who fear the Lord that the goodness and mercy of God are extended if they but knew it.

The Servant of the Lord seeks to comfort the sorrowful, to strengthen the weak, to bring faith to the wavering, inspiration to the discouraged, a new vision of hope to the perishing. The Servant continues to mend the bruised reed and to feed the flame of the feeble lamp.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (II Timothy 2:24-26)

Many Christians are "little sisters" (Song of Solomon 8:8). They are not mature now and will not be mature at the coming of Christ. According to the writer's interpretation of the Song of Solomon, Christ does not intend to destroy the immature believers. He will deliver them and nourish them and make of them a structure of eternal value, beauty, and glory in the Kingdom of God.

We must be careful to distinguish between immature, ignorant believers who are serving the Lord sincerely, and careless, lukewarm Christians who are refusing to take up their cross and follow the Master. The careless and lukewarm, of whom there are many, are facing a frightful future. They will be spit out of the Lord's mouth. They will be assigned to outer darkness.

When the Lord Jesus appears in His Glory, His officers, His "mighty men," will appear with Him. Jesus has strong saints who will "return from the wilderness with Him," so to speak, just as was true of King David. Any Christian can be one of the Lord's "mighty men" if he or she so chooses. The believer may be weak now; but if he calls on Christ in sincerity there will come to him the strength and wisdom needed to conquer the current problems.

Christ possesses enough power to lift the faithful believer to the highest throne. But we must seek Him with all of our determination.

When the Lord Jesus returns, the wicked will be ashes under the feet of the Church.

And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 4:3)

But God's people will grow up as "calves of the stall."

But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2)

Those who fear God's name will be healed when the Sun of righteousness arises. There will be no sin in that day.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)

Where there is righteousness there is healing, there is peace in the midst of tumult, there is joy in the presence of despair and grief. The Servant of the Lord ministers righteousness and blessing to God's people and also to the nations of the earth. He will continue to strengthen the bruised reed and to stir into flame the smoking flax until every soul whom God has ordained to life achieves righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

All the blessings of God are to "whoever will"; and "whoever" certainly means you !