Sunday, December 19, 2010

January 12 (Genesis 13; Matthew 12; Nehemiah 2; Acts 12)


Here is one of the most beautiful verses in all the Bible, Matthew 12:20“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench…”One puritan by the name of Richard Sibbes wrote a whole book on this one verse. In it he describes a bruised reed as :

…a man that for the most part is in some misery, as those were that came to Christ for help, and by misery he is brought to see sin as the cause of it, for, whatever pretences sin makes, they come to an end when we are bruised and broken. He is sensible of sin and misery, even unto bruising; and, seeing no help in himself, is carried with restless desire to have supply from another, with some hope, which a little raises him out of himself to Christ, though he dare not claim any present interest of mercy. This spark of hope being opposed by doubtings and fears rising from corruption makes him as smoking flax; so that both these together, a bruised reed and smoking flax, make up the state of a poor distressed man. This is such an one as our Savior Christ terms `poor in spirit' (Matt. 5:3), who sees his wants, and also sees himself indebted to divine justice. He has no means of supply from himself or the creature, and thereupon mourns, and, upon some hope of mercy from the promise and examples of those that have obtained mercy, is stirred up to hunger and thirst after it.

 If you have ever found yourself in such a mournful state, rejoice! It is the first step and then come to Christ who will blow on your dying embers and comfort you by His grace! He may wound, but He will always heal. He will never break to the point of destruction!

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