Spurgeon: July PM
* 07/19/PM
"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He
not quench."
--Matthew 12:20
What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A
reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck
light upon it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush
against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wind that flits
across the river moves it to and fro. You can conceive of
nothing more frail or brittle, or whose existence is more in
jeopardy, than a bruised reed. Then look at the smoking flax--
what is it? It has a spark within it, it is true, but it is
almost smothered; an infant's breath might blow it out; nothing
has a more precarious existence than its flame. Weak things
are here described, yet Jesus says of them, "The smoking flax I
will not quench; the bruised reed I will not break." Some of
God's children are made strong to do mighty works for Him; God
has His Samsons here and there who can pull up Gaza's gates, and
carry them to the top of the hill; He has a few mighties who are
lion-like men, but the majority of His people are a timid,
trembling race. They are like starlings, frightened at every
passer by; a little fearful flock. If temptation comes, they are
taken like birds in a snare; if trial threatens, they are ready
to faint; their frail skiff is tossed up and down by every wave,
they are drifted along like a sea bird on the crest of the
billows--weak things, without strength, without wisdom, without
foresight. Yet, weak as they are, and because they are so
weak, they have this promise made specially to them. Herein is
grace and graciousness! Herein is love and lovingkindness! How
it opens to us the compassion of Jesus--so gentle, tender,
considerate! We need never shrink back from His touch. We need
never fear a harsh word from Him ; though He might well chide
us for our weakness, He rebuketh not. Bruised reeds shall have
no blows from Him, and the smoking flax no damping frowns.