Considering Myself a Bruised Reed

Got some less than stellar news last night.  Another interview that didn’t result in a new position.  It was very discouraging.  I’ve seen lots of guys with lots of baggage get new calls reasonably quickly.  I seem to keep coming up short- despite a number of people who value me as a brother and pastor. 

One of the books I’ve been reading is The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes (it is a Puritan paperback for a mere $4.90 at WTS).  I knew I would be in “that place” during this transition.  The title is taken from a passage in the Servant Song of Isaiah 42 which is repeated as fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus in Matthew 12.  Part of that prophecy is “a bruised reed He will not break, a smoldering wick He will not put out.”

This is a great, gospel-filled book about the tenderness and compassion of Jesus toward those who are His.  That they have grace is enough.  That they have even the slightest faith, it is enough to unite sinners to Him.  He does not cast us out for not being strong and spectacular.

The chapter I read this morning dealt a lot with discouragement- and was a needed word from a long-departed brother.  Perhaps some of this will be helpful to others, and perhaps encourage them to seek more of Christ’s encouragement via the ministry of Richard Sibbes.

“Let us not be cruel to ourselves when Christ is thus gracious.”  Many of us have a tendency to beat ourselves up.  I have a Ph.D. in that but I’m trying to give it back.  Jesus, on the other hand, has been so merciful and kind to me.  As I told my daughter the other day, “He has not treated me as my sins deserve.”  But sometimes earthly hopes disappoint, and then we can beat ourselves up for daring to hope (been there, don’t that more times than I can mention).  This is part of why Red told Andy “Hope is a dangerous thing,” in The Shawshank Redemption.

“Suffering brings discouragements, because of our impatience. … But if God brings us into the trial he will be with us in the trial, and at length bring us out, more refined.  We shall lose nothing but dross (Zech. 13:9).”

We lose sight of our Father in the midst of trial.  But He is still there, and still working.  Our goal is often to get out of the trial.  First, He will work to refine us.

“The Spirit will add his shoulders to help us bear our infirmaties.”  He will help us bear our burdens, whether directly or through our brothers and sisters.  One way the Father is with us is via the Spirit who strengthens the inner man as we rely on Christ by faith.

“Christ bestows the best fruits of his love on persons who are mean in condition, weak in abilities, and offensive for infirmaties, nay, for grosser falls.”  This would be the older meaning of ‘mean’.  Not cruel, but difficult, meaning they are in a difficult condition.  Jesus meets us where we are, in our failings, sins and griefs.  We are objects of His affection, not His derision.  He is not like Coach Belichick, offering humble pie by pointing out where we have failed.  He rather reminds us of all He had done to restore us, reconcile us, redeem us.  He does not cast us out, but protects us and seeks to heal the bruises and fan the smoldering flames that we might grow in grace.

“If Christ should not be merciful to our weaknesses, he should not have a people to serve him.”  We are all in this condition.  We are all in need of on-going grace.

“We are only poor for this reason, that we do not know our riches in Christ.  In time of temptation, believe Christ rather than the devil.”  He’s not talking money here.  He’s talking about the spiritual blessings we have received in the heavenlies with Christ (Ephesians 1:3).  Often we give heed to the subtle suggestions of the Evil One instead of looking to Christ- crucified, resurrected and ascended- who now sits upon the throne of grace (Hebrews 4).  He speaks a better word- let us listen to Him.

I am a bruised reed.  Are you?  If so, He will not break us but will deal mercifully with us.