A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench.
ISAIAH 42:3
The reed and the flax, or wick, are descriptions of what Gods people ought to be. The word translated reed signifies the stalk of wheat (Gen. 41:5, 22), from which we may deduce that we are to grow and produce fruit. It also signifies the branches of the candlestick in the tabernacle (Exod. 25:32), indicating that we are to be Christs witnesses. It also signifies the arm bone between the shoulder and the elbow (Job 31:22), teaching us that we are to be the Lords strong instruments to execute His will and to do His work. The reed was used in ancient times as a walking-cane. Christians are to be dependable in bearing the weight of trust placed in them by God and man. One kind of reed was used to produce sweet calamus for the holy anointing oil (Exod. 30:23). We are to have the holy fragrance of Christ about us. At times the reed was used in musical instruments to produce sounds of beauty and praise. There should be no sweeter sound on earth than a believers praise.
The flax is the wick of a lamp or torch. It is meant to burn brightly and dispel the surrounding darkness with its light. It reminds us that Christians are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14).
All this tells us what we ought to be. But bruised reeds and smoking flax only add noxious fumes to the darkness. Humanly speaking they are useless and hopelessbut not to Christ. If you have fallen into spiritual defeat and have lost your usefulness, there is grace for you. The Saviour can repair the broken reed. He can restore brightness to the smoking flax. He will not discard you. Remember, even if your brethren have given you up, the Lord has not.
(Eagles' Wings daily devotional)
