Crushed

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Crushed

Parts of Isaiah 42 describe  the coming Savior,  which took place  about 700 years later.     They are meant  to give hope  to us  in a sinful world  that is constantly trying  to lead us astray  from the LORD.

Whenever we feel  like we have been crushed  by the circumstances  in our life,  Isaiah wants  to give us  the hope  that we can have only  in Jesus Christ.     So,  in Isaiah 42:3,  he says  about Jesus,

A bruised reed  He will not break,  and a dimly burning wick  He will not extinguish.

We can be  that “bruised reed” many different times  during our life.     There might be times  when our sins catch up  with us  and we are suffering greatly  as a result  of our stubborn wrong doing.     Or maybe,  through no fault  of our own,  “life” just happens  and we are forced  to go through trials  we could not have imagined  beforehand.

At these times,  the LORD is wanting  our attention.     When we are bent over  in humble repentance  and realize  that the LORD is  our loving God forever,  our LORD  will have compassion  on us.     He will not allow us  to be broken  and crushed beyond repair.     That is our hope — that our LORD’s mercy  will soon create  in us  a clean heart  and a right spirit  that will know how  to be more  like a child of God  should be — whatever the situation.

We are “a dimly burning wick” every time  we feel  we are at the very end  of our rope.     We’ve had it.     All our efforts  to control our situation  are useless.     We are about  to lose all hope  and faith.     It seems  like God refuses  to hear our cries  for help.

But then,  Isaiah says  about Jesus,  “He will not extinguish”  that tiny bit  of faith  and hope  we are trying  to cling to.

God honors  our every little turn  of faith  towards Him  and the salvation  He longs  to give us.     That is why  it is vital  for us  to daily turn  to our Lord  in prayer  and praise.

We need  to be doing  the right things  towards our Creator  and Redeemer.     Every right thing  will draw us closer  to our Lord  and strengthen us  to trust Him  more each day  for all of our needs.

Those right things include  confession,  repentance,  prayer,  praise,  opening our hearts  to His word,  and trust.

As we turn  to God  and trust  in His eternal love  in Christ,  He will make us strong  and straight  in our thinking — and He will make our “turning to Him”  like a bright lamp  that will light our way  in this dark world.

Then we will say,  “Hallelujah!     The LORD  is our Light  and our eternal Life.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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