A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law” (Isaiah 42:3-4 NKJV).
How difficult it must be for the Lord to see His children following after false gods looking in the wrong places for light and life. His judgments against the darkness and emptiness that His people had chosen, were and are restrained by His steadfast love as He waits for them to return to His ways, provision, care, and salvation. Oftentimes criticisms are spoken of the judgments of God in the Old Testament but alongside every instance of judgment, stand years and ages of mercy, longsuffering, and deliverance.
Beyond that mercy … are promises of a Servant Messiah coming in tenderness, righteousness, and truth to the world. From times of grace in the Old Covenant to the overflowing of grace found in the redemptive life and empowering resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is a glory to the scope of God’s salvation. In Jesus Christ, we see the extent of this tender waiting and sustaining grace of God. Our Lord Jesus comes with living hope in our most weakened place of finally seeing the truth in repentance and not breaking us further but tenderly and powerfully delivering us. Much is made of the amazing qualities of grace in saving us from our sinfulness but the tenderness of our Lord as He waits to deliver us from our prodigal, rebellious, selfish ways, should amaze us as well.
“In his name the nations will put their hope” (Matthew 12:21 NIV).
Oh Lord, Thank you for coming to me with grace and tenderness as I seek you to change me, deliver me and empower me with hope. I cannot comprehend the scope of your love but over and over again, I find comfort and security in its balm for my soul. Thank you, oh thank you … Jesus my Lord. Amen
Suggested Readings … Isaiah 42 & Matthew 12
