Evening, July 19

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"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.