Fighting to win

~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed
16. Through Conflict to Victory

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57

This final chapter by Richard Sibbes gives one final dose of encouragement to warriors in the thick of battle.

He reminds us “there can be no victory where there is no combat.”

Expect resistance. 
From without.
And from within. We’re often our own worst enemy.

It takes much trouble to bring Christ into the heart, and to set up a tribunal for him to judge there. There is an army of lusts in mutiny against him.

The utmost strength of most men's endeavors and abilities is directed to keeping Christ from ruling in the soul.

Because Christ’s kingdom “limits the course of the will,” our natural wanderings may bristle at that bridle. The fleshly kingdom we reign wars against a spiritual government. We’re uncomfortable under judgment.

Thus don’t expect Satan to leave us quietly without a fight. He knows what he’s working with and will use it to his advantage. 

No, there is not so much as a thought of goodness discovered by [Satan], but he joins with corruption to kill it in the birth.

And as Pharaoh's cruelty was especially against the male children, so Satan's malice is especially against the most religious and manly resolutions.

But along with opposition, also expect victory. We can be boldly confident because,

The victory lies not with us, but with Christ, who has taken on him both to conquer for us and to conquer in us.

The victory lies neither in our own strength to get it, nor in our enemies' strength to defeat it.

We don’t have to stare only at the enemy and his threats, but we gaze on our Captain and his promises.

We have more for us than against us.

What coward would not fight when he is sure of victory? None is here overcome but he that will not fight.

When Satan taunts us, “You’re a great sinner,”
        we reply, “Christ is a strong Savior.”

When he says, “Your faith is weak, as is your love,”
        we say, “Yet I have a spark of faith, a spark of love.”

“But Christ won’t regard that,”
        “Christ won’t quench a smoldering wick.”

“Oh, that light is so dim; it will soon vanish,”       
        “Christ will tend it, until he brings me total victory.”

What confusion this brings to Satan, that he can’t blow out a tiny little spark, that a tiny mustard seed is stronger than his gates of hell.

Abimelech could not endure that it should be said, `A woman slew him' (Judg. 9:54); and it must needs be a torment to Satan that a weak child, a woman, a decrepit old man should, by a spirit of faith, put him to flight.

So instead of despising our small strength, we can treasure Christ’s great strength in us and for us. For even in the midst of opposition, “if we strive, he will help us. If we fail, he will cherish us. If we are guided by him, we shall overcome. If we overcome, we are sure to be crowned.”

We are never alone in the battle. Though we are only a bruised reed, we will prevail.

Let us then “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD,” Exodus 14:13.

* * *

Thanks to those who’ve been reading together and sharing insights at Tim Challies and on their own blogs.

It’s made a huge difference in my understanding of this Puritan classic which, after all these centuries, arrived at just the time I needed it. God’s timing is always perfect.

Tim will announce the next classic soon. Stay tuned!

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Gaining the victory

~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
14. Means to Make Grace Victorious
15. Christ’s Public Triumph

“When judgment is fortified, evil finds no entrance.”

“Satan knows that nothing can prevail against Christ, or those that rely upon his power. Therefore his study is how to keep us in ourselves, and in the creature.”

When you’re facing battles and must choose sides, ask yourself:

• Does this help or hinder my main purpose?
• Does this make me more spiritual or less?
• Does this bring me nearer to God or further away from him?
• In the end, will this bring more peace or sorrow?
• Will this commend me more to God or less?

Keep your judgment clear. Let head and heart work together.

“…for what the heart likes best, the mind studies most. Those that can bring their hearts to delight in Christ know most of his ways.”

“…A fire in the heart overcomes all fires without.”

Let wisdom teach you where your weaknesses lie.

“Those who wish to hinder the generation of noisome creatures will hinder the conception first, by keeping male and female apart.”

Use every means to keep “fresh thoughts and affections stirred up and preserved.” Draw near to Christ (James 4:8); make wise use of the opportunities he gives you to do so. 

Exercise grace. “It is not sleepy habits, but grace in exercise, that preserves us.”

In all this, make your resolutions in Christ’s strength, not your own. For it is in the power of his might that you both fight and prevail (Ephesians 6:10).

“Dependent spirits are the wisest and the ablest. Nothing is stronger than humility, which goes out of itself, or weaker than pride, which rests on its own foundation. Frustra nititur qui non innititur (He strives in vain who is not dependent).”

* * *

NEXT WEEK (FINAL CHAPTER):
16. Through Conflict to Victory 

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You win—in His kingdom

~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed
by Richard Sibbes
13. Grace Shall Reign

Weakness, with acknowledgement of it,
is the fittest seat and subject for God
to perfect his strength in;
for consciousness of our infirmities
drives us out of ourselves
to him in whom our strength lies.

Do you ever wonder if Christ’s way is really the best?

It is.
His kingdom is the only one with a guaranteed victory.

6 reasons why his Kingdom wins:

1. Because Christ is its head, and he is over all (Romans 9:5)—including sin, death, hell, Satan, and the world. If he can overcome them in himself, he can overcome them in your heart and conscience.

2. Because when you encounter enemies, they fall before you because you have the Spirit in you.

3. Because Christ has committed his kingdom to the Spirit of truth—it abides forever—and you are born of that Spirit. “A little thing in the hand of a giant will do great things. A little faith strengthened by Christ will work wonders.”

4. Because you’ve already been promised the victory. And Christ always keeps his promises.

5. Because Christ has already begun ruling in his kingdom, and where he begins to rule, he rules forever.

6. Because Christ’s purpose in coming was to destroy Satan’s works, both for you and in you. That same Spirit which raised him is in his body—the church (you!).

When chaff strives against the wind,
or stubble against the fire,
when the heel kicks against the pricks,
when the potsherd strives with the potter,
when man strives against God,
it is easy to know on which side the victory will be.

The winds may toss the ship wherein Christ is,
but not overturn it.
The waves may dash against the rock,
but they only break themselves against it.

Then why does the enemy seem victorious?

1. Because you suffer. But don’t count sufferings as loss; God uses sufferings to conform you to Christ, “who conquered most when he suffered most.”

2. Because victory is by degrees. You may lose some battles, but the war has already been won for you. 

3. Because God often works in opposites.

When [God] means to give victory, he will allow us to be foiled at first… when he means to make us glorious, he will abase us first….

When [man] is conquered by some sins, he gets victory over others more dangerous, such as spiritual pride and security.

4. Because Christ sometimes lets you fall so you’ll grow to stand stronger. “We take deeper root by shaking.”

Therefore, we should not be so discouraged with our weaknesses. Many waters cannot quench the flame of God kindled in the heart by the Holy Spirit.

Regardless of how it may look to you at times, you are victorious if you a citizen of Christ’s kingdom.

Grace shall reign! 

So let us never give up, but, in our thoughts, knit the beginning, progress and end together, and then we shall see ourselves in heaven out of the reach of all enemies.

* * *

For more on Chapters 12 and 13, visit our reading group at Tim Challies’ blog.

COMING NEXT WEEK:
14. Means to Make Grace Victorious
15. Christ’s Public Triumph

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Good judgment

~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
12. Christ's Wise Government

God will have no blind sacrifices, no unreasonable services (Isaiah 1:13), but will have us to love him with all our mind (Romans 12:2), that is, with our understanding part, as well as with all our hearts (Luke 10:27), that is, the feeling part of the soul.
~ RICHARD SIBBES

Do you always use good judgment?

There’s only one way it’s possible—if you base your decisions on rock solid truth. It’s the only way not to be swayed by lies or selfishness.

The foundation for good judgment can’t be just your conscience. Or how you were raised. Or who you’re listening to. 

Truth is truth, and error, error, and that which is unlawful is unlawful, whether men think so or not.

God has put an eternal difference between light and darkness, good and ill, which no creature's conceit can alter; and therefore no man's judgment is the measure of things further than it agrees to truth stamped upon things themselves by God.

Good judgment has to be founded on Truth. Truth then trains consciences and steers parents and guides mentors.

It has to start with Truth.

But it can’t end there. It’s not enough to just understand it. Truth also has to order our ways.

Christ sets up his throne in the very heart and alters its direction, so making his subjects good, together with teaching them to be good.

When Truth embeds himself in, he must work his way out in behaviors. Christ doesn’t just teach you better thought patterns for your brain; he also works on your heart to change your actions.

Other princes can make good laws, but they cannot write them in their people's hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). This is Christ's prerogative: he infuses into his subjects his own Spirit.

Upon him there does not only rest the spirit of wisdom and understanding, but likewise the spirit of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).

The knowledge which we have of him from himself is a transforming knowledge (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The same Spirit who enlightens the mind inspires gracious inclinations into the will and affections and infuses strength into the whole man.

Where his Spirit of Truth is, mind and heart reside in sweet harmony. “Until then, truth does us no good, but helps to condemn us.” And vice-versa. A man with a good heart but no foundation of truth is not a wise man.

Without Christ's Spirit the soul is in confusion, without beauty and form, as all things were in the chaos before the creation.

Head and heart.
God sets both aright in good judgment through Truth.

* * *

For more on Chapters 12 and 13, visit our reading group at Tim Challies’ blog.

COMING TOMORROW:
13. Grace Shall Reign

COMING NEXT WEEK:
14. Means to Make Grace Victorious
15. Christ’s Public Triumph

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9 ways we quench the Spirit

~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
10. Quench not the Spirit
11. Christ’s judgment and victory

Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:19

It sounds ominous. Definitely something I should avoid doing.

But, um, what exactly does it mean to “quench the Spirit”?

In The Bruised Reed, author Richard Sibbes says it means deeply offending the merciful nature of Christ.

I define it as attempting to extinguish the breath of God, intentionally or otherwise, in ourselves or others.

If Christ himself won’t blow out a wick that’s at least smoldering (until he brings justice, Matthew 12:20), we sure have no business doing it ourselves.

How? 
What do we do to douse the flame? Where do believers go wrong and hinder the Spirit’s work?

Here are nine ways Sibbes says it happens.

1. I’m too bad
We see our badness as bigger than his goodness.

But “none are damned in the church but those that are determined to be.” Christ is ready to welcome each of us, regardless of our past or present. Don’t allow your disbelief of the Spirit’s ability to reside in you be a hindrance to his work in you. 

2. I deserve the worst
We can wrongly assume Christ wants us to suffer hell now before he brings us to heaven later.

But Christ desires to and does give us comfort even now, even here. Don’t turn it away.

3. I no longer want his mercy
We can turn our back on his gift and resist his grace so much that the fire goes out altogether.

There are those who take it on themselves to cast water on those sparks which Christ labors to kindle in them, because they will not be troubled with the light of them.

But God didn’t make us to damn us. The Holy Spirit knocks often at our hearts, willing to “kindle some holy desire” in us. Don’t keep refusing to answer.

4. I’ll sin now and get forgiveness later
We wrongly reason that because Christ won’t quench the smoking flax, we’re free to do whatever we want with no consequences.

But we are warned not to try to take advantage of his mercy. Instead of looking for loopholes through his merciful nature, watch for ways he tends the flame to increase your godliness. He will preserve the grace he began in you if you won’t quench it.

What are some ways he keeps your flame alive?

1. Through communion with other Christians
2. Through communion with God through prayer, meditation, etc.
3. Through words of others
   For this reason the apostle knits these two together: `Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings' (1 Thess. 5:19-20). Nathan, by a few words, blew up the decaying sparks in David. Rather than that God will suffer his fire in us to die, he will send some Nathan or other, and something always is left in us to join with the Word, as of the same nature with it; as a coal that has fire in it will quickly gather more fire to it. Smoking flax will easily take fire.
4. Through the exercise of grace itself
   Stir up the grace that is in you, for in this way holy motions turn to resolutions, resolutions to practice, and practice to a prepared readiness to every good work.

5. I’ll get mercy elsewhere
We insult him and hurt ourselves when we knock at any other door but his.

But who can be more tender over us than Christ? No one.

6. I mistreat his children
When we wound other people despite having been healed of our own wounds by Christ, we quench the Spirit.

But instead we should appeal to the mercies of God in Christ to keep us from hurting others, and thus putting Christ through new torments as well.

7. I fight within the church
We suppress the Spirit’s work when we divide the body of Christ.

What a joyful spectacle is this to Satan and his faction, to see those that are separated from the world fall in pieces among themselves!

Our discord is our enemy's melody.

But Christ longs for unity, for us to allow the grace and peace of God to rule in our hearts as one so his glory can be most fully seen.

8. I take advantage of the weak
We wrongly misuse our spiritual power when we take what we want from those who are weak, exposing their bruises. 

But Christ would have us bring the bread of life to crying children, not take it from them. He counts the mercy we show in feeding his lambs to be mercy shown to himself.  

9. I think mercy is for sissies
We are embarrassed that Christ stooped so low and we are ashamed that the gospel is so simple.

But the more Christ descends to exalt us, all the more should we love and magnify the goodness of God. 

The heart of a Christian is Christ's garden, and his graces are as so many sweet spices and flowers which, when his Spirit blows upon them, send forth a sweet savor.

Therefore keep the soul open to entertain the Holy Ghost, for he will bring in continually fresh forces to subdue corruption.

* * *

For more on chapter 10 (and chapter 11, Christ’s Judgment and Victory, not reviewed here), visit Tim Challie’s group “Reading Classics Together.”
Download The Bruised Reed free online and read along with us.

COMING NEXT:
12. Christ’s Wise Government
13. Grace Shall Reign

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What are other ways we can quench the Spirit?
How can we keep from doing it?

If you’re discouraged with yourself…

~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
8. Duties and Discouragement
9. Believe Christ, not Satan

Do it or not?

It’s a good thing.
But you don’t feel like doing it.
Your heart’s not fully in it.

So you don’t do it at all?
Or you do it anyway?

Richard Sibbes says that’s easy to answer: Do it anyway. 

Because if you don’t do it, corruption gains ground.

But if you do do it, God will strengthen you as you go.

God often delights to take advantage of our averseness, that he may manifest his work the more clearly, and that all the glory of the work may be his, as all the strength is his.

Obedience is most direct when there a nothing else to sweeten the action.

If you don’t do it, you might be more obstructed from doing it in the future.
If you do do it, you may experience God’s presence in a way you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Feeling and freeness of spirit are often reserved until duty is discharged.

Reward follows work.

In and after duty we find that experience of God's presence which, without obedience, we may long wait for, and yet go without.

But what if the spirit is willing but the body is weak?

Use the down time for preparation for later when the body is not weak. “Whetting a tool does not hinder, but prepares.” Use the time to “calm the soul and put the strings in tune.”

Where does discouragement come from?

• Not from the Father. He has covenanted himself to pity us as a father pities his children (Psa 103:13).
• Not from Christ, for he trades his strength for our weakness, his grace for our sins.
• Not from the Spirit. He is the Comforter (John 14:16). Even when he convicts you of sin to humble you, “it is that he may make way for his office of comforting” you.

If you’re discouraged with yourself, then it comes from you and from Satan, who “labors to fasten on you a loathing of duty.”

Your impatience with timing often brings on discouragement. Wait on his timing; you’ve got nothing to lose.

But if God brings us into the trial he will be with us in the trial, and at length bring us out, more refined.

We shall lose nothing but dross (Zech. 13:9).

Discouragement also comes from overactive consciences, from diseases of the body, and from “some remainder of ignorance, which, like darkness, breeds fears—ignorance especially of this merciful disposition in Christ, the persuasion of which would easily banish false fears.”

So remember these truths…

The Lord has entered a covenant of grace with you, and your weaknesses will not break covenant with God. They won’t debar you from mercy.

God numbers your tears and groans, and he keeps a throne of mercy at your bedside, even when he doesn’t remove your thorns. “Christ counts it his honor to pass by many infirmities, nay, in infirmities he perfects his strength.”

So continue to desire what you should be.

What we desire to be we shall be, and what we desire truly to conquer we shall conquer, for God will fulfill the desire of them that fear him (Psa. 145:19).

The desire is an earnest of the thing desired. How little encouragement will carry us to the affairs of this life!

You are only poor if you do not recognize your riches in Christ. “In time of temptation, believe Christ rather than the devil. Believe truth from truth itself. Hearken not to a liar, an enemy and a murderer.”

When Christ seems to be an enemy, when doubts assail you, when you find yourself resisting Christ’s mercy, know that you can “never be in such a condition that there will be just cause of utter despair. Therefore let us do as mariners do, cast anchor in the dark. Christ knows how to pity us in this case.”

We are weak, but we are his; we are deformed, but yet carry his image upon us.

A father looks not so much at the blemishes of his child as at his own nature in him; so Christ finds matter of love from that which is his own in us.

* * *

Do you easily become discouraged with yourself?
How do you counter the discouragement?

COMING NEXT:
10. Quench not the Spirit
11. Christ’s judgment and victory

This is Week 5 for Tim Challie’s group “Reading Classics Together.”
Download The Bruised Reed free online from Monergism.com, or grab a hardcopy, and read along with us.

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How hot is your fire?

~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
6. Marks of the smoking flax
7. Help for the weak

Are you still on fire for the Lord?
Richard Sibbes says don’t measure that by your feelings, “for in temptations we shall see nothing but smoke of distrustful thoughts.”

And you can’t trust comparisons either. If your fire isn’t as bright as your neighbor’s, that doesn’t mean you’re not on fire at all. Don’t bear false witness against yourself in that way.

Instead, trust grace. But don’t try to measure that either. If you have grace, you have grace, just as a spark of fire is still fire. There is as much grace in the spark as in the flame.

A weak hand may still receive a rich jewel.

You are under the covenant of grace, which will not quench any smoking flax, not the covenant of works, which breaks all bruised reeds.

What is the origin of your fire?
Your fire comes from the Father of heavenly lights. He who kindles it is also he who feeds it. He puts a light in every converted man to see with spiritual eyes—able to distinguish between flesh and spirit, between good and bad, between gold and dross.

But what if you truly are weak?
Then detest your temptations and run to Christ. Complain to him about them. Fly under his wings and let him fight on your behalf against yours and his common enemy.

But don’t be too troubled by seeing your sin. The more you see it, the more you’ll hate it, “and therefore it is less.”

Remember, the nearer you come to God, the worse your sin looks to you. You are most aware of your sin when your soul is most alive. Otherwise, your sins wouldn’t even bother you if you were only trying to please self.

Let such know that if the smoke be once offensive to them, it is a sign that there is light.

It is better to enjoy the benefit of light, though with smoke, than to be altogether in the dark.

Should weakness deter you from doing good?
No. Don’t wait until you can do something with perfection before you attempt it at all. Christ can see the good your heart intends, even amongst the bad, and he will blow on your little work until it flames brightly.

He can make sense out of a confused prayer, and he can and does give grace enough to cover your inabilities and imperfections.

Don’t be cruel to yourself when Christ is being gracious.

‘Lord, I believe’ (Mark 9:24), with a weak faith, yet with faith; love thee with a faint love, yet with love; endeavor in a feeble manner, yet endeavor.

A little fire is fire, though it smokes.

* * *

COMING NEXT:
8. Duties and discouragements
9. Believe Christ, not Satan

This is Week 4 of Tim Challie’s “Reading Classics Together.”
Download The Bruised Reed free online from Monergism.com, or grab a hardcopy, and read along with us.

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No cold water, please

~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
4. Christ will not quench the smoking flax
5. The spirit of mercy should move us

Step away from the bucket of cold water.
As long as there is a spark of faith, keep it lit.

Why?
1. Because that spark originated in heaven—it is from his Spirit.
2. Because he wants it preserved to shine in dark places.

As Christ was tender to the weak in body, wasn’t he even more tender to the weak in spirit? (such as, his tenderness with Peter after he denied him; giving Thomas the proof he asked for; …) So are we to be.

Bear with the weak (Romans 15:1). But don’t leave them there.

The church suffers much from weak ones, therefore we may assert our liberty to deal with them, though mildly, yet oftentimes directly.

The scope of true love is to make the party better, which concealment oftentimes hinders.

Help the weak grow stronger. Like a fragile glass, if handled properly, they will then last a long time and become useful to the church.

Be merciful as you teach truths. Don’t distract or tire others with them. And don’t intellectualize. Religion is not to be “only a matter of cleverness, in tying and untying of knots.”

The brains of men inclining that way are hotter usually than their hearts.

Let mercy move you to edify others. Don’t kill a fly on the forehead with a mallet.

The Holy Ghost is content to dwell in smoky, offensive souls. Oh, that that Spirit would breathe into our spirits the same merciful disposition!

Live to give no offense.
Live to take none.

We endure the bitterness of wormwood, and other distasteful plants and herbs, only because we have some experience of some wholesome quality in them; and why should we reject men of useful parts and graces, only for some harshness of disposition, which, as it is offensive to us, so it grieves themselves?

* * *

COMING NEXT:
6. Marks of the smoking flax
7. Help for the weak

This is Week 3 of Tim Challie’s “Reading Classics Together.”
Download The Bruised Reed free online from Monergism.com, or grab a hardcopy, and read along with us.

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Is bruising bad?

~ Thoughts from The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
2. Christ Will Not Break the Bruised Reed
3. The Smoking Flax

Getting a bruise
I bruise easily.
Since we bought a new bed a year ago, I’ve hit my leg on the corner posts about, oh, 30 times.

Yeah, it hurts every time. And yeah, my leg turns black and blue and puffy.

Why do I keep doing it? Especially 30 times???
I don’t try to. I don’t want to. 

But on days when I’m in a hurry to round the corner, or I’m mindlessly thinking about something else, boom.
Bruised again.

Sometimes I feel like a bruised reed because of circumstances. Sad things surround me. I feel wounded by life.

And rightly so. But my real bruising is not from loss or grief or disappointment.

It’s an inside job.
Me.

That’s what I hear Richard Sibbes saying in The Bruised Reed. In chapters 2 and 3, I read:

1. Jesus doesn’t break the bruised
2. The reason we’re bruised? Our own sin

Just as the bed doesn’t reach out and grab my thigh to bruise it, neither does sin gets its grip on me without my consent. Sin happens when I’m in too big of a hurry and cut a corner. Or when I mindlessly take my focus off Jesus.

I may not want to. I try not to. But I do sin. A new bruise.

Bruised reeds are those brought low not just by their crosses, but by realization of their sin…
…those who understand that sin is their greatest enemy, and that God’s favor is their greatest gift.
…those who are humble and compassionate, and who tremble at God’s word.

Jesus and bruises
What does Christ do with bruised reeds? He doesn’t break a man when he’s down. (That’s what Satan does—he attacks us when we’re weakest.) Christ extends a hand to lift the humble up.

As a healer, Christ binds the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:0). As a master, He shepherds. As a prophet, he gives blessing. As a priest, he dies for sinners.

Surgeons will lance and cut, but not dismember. A mother who has a sick and self willed child will not therefore cast it away.

And shall there be more mercy in the stream than in the spring? Shall we think there is more mercy in ourselves than in God, who plants the affection of mercy in us?

Our response
We should come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). “Shall our sins discourage us, when he appears there only for sinners?” No. Let’s open our wounds to him. Don’t hide our bruises. Understand our need for a Savior.

So maybe a bruise isn’t so bad after all.
Christ’s goal isn’t my happiness; it’s my holiness.

Let this support us when we feel ourselves bruised. Christ's way is first to wound, then to heal.

No sound, whole soul shall ever enter into heaven.

My bruise shows me where I keep running into the post, and makes me walk farther around it and closer to God. It encourages me to slow down at the tempting spots instead of being in a hurry to do things my way.

I am a bruised reed because of the sin in me.
But I’m only bruised, not broken, because of the Lord in me.

There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.

* * *

COMING NEXT:
4. Christ Will Not Quench the Smoking Flax
5. The Spirit of Mercy Should Move Us

This is Week 2 of Tim Challie’s “Reading Classics Together.”
Download The Bruised Reed free online from Monergism.com, or grab a hardcopy, and read along with us.

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A bruised reed

~ Thoughts from Chapter 1 of The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
“The Reed and the Bruising”

The bruised reed is a man that for the most part is in some misery, as those were that came to Christ for help, and by misery he is brought to see sin as the cause of it, for, whatever pretences sin makes, they come to an end when we are bruised and broken.

A bruised reed.

It’s a good description of me. I’m not an oak, just a reed. But I’m only bruised, not broken.

And Christ is dealing with me. That’s a good thing. He’s gentle, but firm.

He knows just how far I can bend without breaking.

He’s working to improve my serve by placing me in an active sandwich role of mom and daughter. And I’m struggling. 

I feel a little banged up. My self-centeredness trips me up. My pride and fears are also big obstacles in my path.

But Jesus specializes in working with the sinful and weak and wounded. He is the perfect medicine to heal all my scrapes and wash off all my ugliness.

As I place this bruised reed in his hand,
I’ll live by his mercy, and
I’ll hope in his name (Matthew 12:20-21).

* * *

Excerpts from Chapter 1

In time of temptation, apprehensive consciences look so much to the present trouble they are in that they need to be roused up to behold him in whom they may find rest for their distressed souls.

In temptations it is safest to behold nothing but Christ the true brazen serpent, the true ‘Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world’, (John 1:29).

*

We see, therefore, that the condition of those with whom he was to deal was that they were bruised reeds and smoking flax; not trees, but reeds; and not whole, but bruised reeds.

The church is compared to weak things: to a dove amongst the fowls; to a vine amongst the plants; to sheep amongst the beasts; to a woman, which is the weaker vessel.

*

THE GOOD EFFECTS OF BRUISING
This bruising is required before conversion that so the Spirit may make way for himself into the heart by levelling all proud, high thoughts, and that we may understand ourselves to be what indeed we are by nature.

After conversion we need bruising so that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks. Even reeds need bruising, by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature, and to let us see that we live by mercy.

Such bruising may help weaker Christians not to be too much discouraged, when they see stronger ones shaken and bruised.

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IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

This is Day 1 of Tim Challie’s “Reading Classics Together.” Download The Bruised Reed free online, or grab a hardcopy, and read along with us.

More comments from the group on chapter 1 here.