Isaiah 42 Devotional

Gentle with the Bruised

“A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.”Isaiah 42:3 (BSB)

God presents his Servant, the one he upholds and delights in, and puts his Spirit on him to bring justice to the nations (42:1). The surprise is how he does it. He does not shout in the streets. He will not snap a damaged reed or put out a wick that is barely smoldering (42:2-3), yet he will not give up until justice is established on the earth (42:4). Matthew quotes these verses about Jesus, who withdrew from conflict and healed the crowds that followed him (Matthew 12:15-21).

The rest of the chapter shows why such a Servant is needed. God's other servant, Israel, is blind and deaf, seeing much but noticing nothing, plundered because they would not walk in his ways (42:19-24). The Servant succeeds where Israel failed, and he does it gently. His strength is real, but he never uses it to crush the weak. If you feel bent or close to burning out, you are exactly the kind of person he handles with care.

To think about: Where do you feel bruised or close to burning out, and how does the Servant's gentleness invite you to come to him?