Sixth Day of Christmas: Isaiah 42 (Part 1)
Healing the Bruises
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Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break.
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Cheap light is a modern commodity. Every now and then when the power goes out we are reminded how much we depend on it.
In Biblical times, working folks did not have flax to burn as a wick. They would go down to the riverbank and harvest reeds. Inside was a pithy substance--like the inside of a corn stalk. They would strip that pith out of the reed, dry it and twist it, and use that for a wick.
A bruised reed was worthless. It could not be used for anything. Folks would just break it off and go on to the next one.
So--as 2020 comes to a close--how ya doing? This year has battered and bruised us all.
But unto us a Savior has been born, which is Christ the Lord. He was bruised for our transgressions and by his stripes we are healed. He took ALL our pain upon himself--including the bruises of 2020.
He doesn't break off bruised reeds like us. He binds us up so we can burn brightly.
2021 is nearly here, and Christ is already binding up your bruises.
This year you are going to shine brightly--the Savior has been born to make sure of it!