What a Burned-Out Match Shows About Jesus
The tender picture in Isaiah 42:3 for anyone running on fumes.
“A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench” (Isaiah 42:3 KJV).
“Smoking flax” in modern context means a smoking match.
After the match lights the birthday candle, I blow out the flame, until only a wisp of smoke rises.
For a long time, I thought that if I was basically burned out, that was my own fault for being something imperfect: too busy, or too foolish with my time, or a mother with too many young children, or some other thing that I could have dealt with more perfectly.
But I knew I would never be perfect, and so thought that the only possible outcome was that Jesus would douse me entirely.
But that’s not what the scripture says.
“Smoking flax He will not quench.”
The accurate picture shows Jesus, protecting this burned-out match, covering it, fanning it into flame.
Lord, may we receive this great tenderness of Jesus, that he treasures us and protects us, that your heart is for us. May the beauty of your heart and your love and your tenderness sink deep into us, so we rest in you.
Lord, for all who are fighting a great battle, please be present in power. Fill us. Renew us. Give us the breathing space, the respite, that we need to carry on in the new day.
Calm our hearts, open our ears, speak peace to our troubled minds. Silence the mouth of the liar.
May we hear your truth, and may it sink deep in our souls. Thank you. Amen.
Receive this great tenderness of Jesus.
God comforts us in all our trouble,
Amy Joy
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