“A bruised reed shall He not break”
Isaiah 42:3
I chose this verse because it is one that is very near and dear to my own heart. It’s short, and perhaps easily passed over. But it’s also significant. Because it’s the healing balm my heart so often needs to receive.
So many times, in my life I have felt very bruised. I struggle with sensory-integration dysfunction, and nearly constant back pain, which leaves me in an emotionally bruised state often, to be honest. The Lord keeps me raw. And I know this is for Him, because when we are at our most raw, we cling to Him, we dig into Him. But it doesn’t always make it easy. And feeling bruised can be difficult.
Have you felt this way? Things happen, some trivial and some monumental, and they can bruise a person where you feel pummeled by the wind. Difficult circumstances thrown our way can make us feel like a thin reed being pounded by every gust. Fragile.
But our Lord knows this. And He promises that He sees us in our bruised state, and He will not break us. He will deal gently with us.
He sees every gust that has bent us down, and yet we remain standing; that small thin reed. Only by His strength surely. And it is this knowledge that blesses me, that reminds me that He is faithful and loving; His mercy is new every morning. He will always deal gently with us.
There are times in our lives when we must be chastened – for a loving Father chastens His children. Jesus endured the chastening from His Father, and He knew that is was for His good.
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” Hebrews 12:7
I’ll be honest, sometimes that scares me. When I feel so fragile as it is, I don’t want to be chastened. I don’t want to be melted in that fire anymore. But I do want to become gold. So, what does He say to my soul? “I will not break a bruised reed.” He sees me in my very bruised heart, and He continues His work on me, but He promises to do so gently. And He does. He will not leave us broken or bruised. He will heal, and heal gently. And we know that everything our Beloved Lord does, is for our good. That’s a promise He gives us, even in the darkest times.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11
So, when you feel bruised and broken, call on His promises, remember that He is taking care of us and knows our fragile state. His love for us is never-ending, and He is gentle – oh so gentle.
