“A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.”

As a servant of the Lord, do you ever feel burnt out, discouraged, depressed, despairing, hopeless, and even broken? I do and I know you probably do as well from time to time. This is just the reality of serving Jesus in a world that goes against His truth. The battle has been going on for a long time. Moses was so discouraged and despairing he asked God to kill him (Numbers 11:14-15). David and his men wept and wept over a defeat (1 Samuel 30:4). The Apostle Paul listed his ministry woes as described in 2 Corinthians 11. The prophet Elijah came to a place of exhaustion, unworthiness, and a lost sense of purpose in his dealings with Jezebel. As Christ suffered, we shall too as His servants (Romans 8:17-18).

We’ve all been there. Perhaps you are there right now. Fear not my friend and let the peace of God that surpasses all understanding comfort you in this season. Paul, reflecting on his ministry journey, tells us he suffered the loss of all things and concluded that their value was only that of “dung” compared to what he gained in Christ (Philippians 3:8).

Matthew records that Jesus healed “all who were ill” from a crowd that was following Him. Then he quotes from our passage in Isaiah to show how Jesus fulfilled the prophecy about the Messiah (Matthew 12:18-21). I find it interesting that Matthew is the one who captures this. I believe Matthew was a bruised reed feeling burnt out, perhaps despairing over the ministry challenges on top of his own personal challenges. He had been a dreaded tax collector; and being from the tribe of Levi, he had walked away from his religious heritage to follow Jesus. He became an outsider now in ministry to the outsiders. But Jesus sees it all. He sees and knows when His servants are weak and despairing. Discouraged and depressed. Burnt out and broken. Isaiah’s prophecy speaks of the coming Messiah. As Jesus was “bruised for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5), He understands the “bruised reed” in us. In all His miracle healings, Jesus was ministering to a bruised reed. He ministered to the bruised reeds gathered in the upper room after His death. He restored Peter in his condition as a bruised reed after denying the Lord. God will never despise a broken spirit or contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). He will not despise the prayers of the destitute (Psalm 102:17). “A bruised reed He shall not break. A smoking flax He shall not quench.”

“A bruised reed He shall not break” is a picture of one bent and weak in the service of the Lord. A servant may be overwhelmed but also gloriously peaceful in knowing that it is Jesus who promises to mend and restore the bruised reed. “A smoking flax He shall not quench” is a picture of barely hanging in there in one’s service to the Lord. You may feel like your fire is gone, your zeal and passion are empty, you are just an ember barely smoking. And yet we can be at peace knowing that Jesus will never let the smoking flax flame out completely. As long as there is smoke, there can be fire. Fire for the Lord! It is Jesus who promises to rekindle your fire so that your light can shine brightly again, unhidden, to be seen by all for His glory.

The Prophet Elijah in his despairing could do nothing but cry out to God. It is in that moment the Lord met him and reassured him in a still, small voice that He was there for Elijah. It is the same Lord and same promise to you beloved servant of Christ. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus will always be our comforter, our restorer, our peace (Ephesians 2:14).

May our Lord’s peace be upon you and with you, beloved servant of the most high. May your bruises be healed and restored, and may your flax burn brightly as you continue to serve and share His truth for His judgment.

By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California U.S.