" A smoldering wick he will not quench"

I was reading the evening devotion for July 19 by Charles Spurgeon. It was a glimpse of how God cares for us and loves us, and though times may be hard, or we may be depressed, or weary he has shown favor on us and will gives us hope even in the darkest of times. Some of us are timid and tempted to drift but there is a HOPE AND A PROMISE, "Yet, weak as they are, and because they are so weak, they have this promise made specially to them."

"... a bruised reed he will not break,

    and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick he will not quench,.." Matthew 12:20 (AMP)

Evening July 19 (CHS)

"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.

Matthew Henry's commentary helps me understand this care and Love of the Lord:

"What is the compassion of our Lord Jesus toward them? He will not discourage them, much less reject them or cast them off; the reed that is bruised shall not be broken and trodden down, but shall be supported, and made as strong as a cedar or flourishing palm-tree. The candle newly lighted, though it only smokes and does not flame, shall not be blown out, but blown up. The day of small things is the day of precious things, and therefore he will not despise it, but make it the day of great things, Zech. 4:10. " (MHC)


"Who [with reason] despises the day of small things? ...the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro throughout the whole earth." Zech 4:10


Note, In God’s work the day of small things is not to be despised. Though the instruments be weak and unlikely, God often chooses such, by them to bring about great things. As a great mountain becomes a plain before him when he pleases, so a little stone, cut out of a mountain without hands, comes to fill the earth. Though the beginnings be small, God can make the latter end greatly to increase; a grain of mustard-seed may become a great tree. Let not the dawning light be despised, for it will shine more and more to the perfect day. The day of small things is the day of precious things, and will be the day of great things.(MHC on Zech 4:10)

Growth is not easy in this life. Some experience growth through trials and some through blessing but both means are covered by God's plan and care. He supplies the needed strength to enable "a day of small things to make it a day of great things." So have hope in the middle of a time of growth and stretching that all things will work for good.

"And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold"

 Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP)

Great promise and a love that never fails is our foundations.

Promise

Your Love Never Fails - by Jesus Culture

"Your Love Never Fails"

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There maybe pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

You make, all things, work together for my good.

"flight of thoughts"
 I am always amazed how God can impress thoughts into our minds when we see creation, flowers, mountains, read books, and it goes on and on....

So...... We can get through challenges that seem insurmountable by prayer and realizing God's grace and taking courage, initiative and making decisions that have a greater end in view.

I have been reading a book about World War II that is inspiring .


Achieving victory, seemed impossible when the odds were against the U.S Army in Northern Europe at the battle of the Ardenees - the Battle of the Bulge. They had to fight desperately for survival. Yet 'Remarkable achievements' were made against the enemy at a great cost.

And the story of the 110th Infantry- 2000 men vs. 10,000 -

 "That sentence encompasses hundreds of stories of heroism, most of which will never be known"

So many faithful people will make "Remarkable achievements" going through each day in common ways, confident of  God's perfect plan and care, and each day serving and pressing on in the midst of hard circumstances in faith. 

Many of these stories will never be known but are for God's glory and our good. From bruise and smoldering, to trust and hope, to joy in pain, to achieving great reward living our lives.

... a bruised reed he will not break,

    and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick he will not quench,.." 

Mt. Shuksan near Mt Baker