Little Chats With God

Posts Tagged ‘humiliation’

 “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” Isaiah 42:3Isaiah 42:3
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench: he will bring forth justice in truth.

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I watched a show on TV a while ago, Lord, about a young boy in one of the Nazi training schools. Any hint of weakness was met with harshness and humiliation in an effort to break the boys’ wills and bring them into conformation to the system.

Of course, the Nazi regime is not the only place where such attitudes have been found. It is reflected in teachers who belittle their students; in the judges of TV talent shows who think that to make themselves look good they must humiliate the contestants; even in churches that look down on anyone who is struggling in his Christian walk.

I’m so glad You put this verse in Your Word, Lord, and that it assures us that You are not like that.

You are holy, righteous and just, yet You understand people’s weakness. Even when people are at their lowest ebb – morally, socially or emotionally – You don’t cut them off. You called David back after he committed adultery and murder, and continued to bless his reign. When Elijah hit the pits of despair, You assured him that he was not alone, but that there were many who served You. You refused to judge the woman caught in adultery, but told her to go and sin no more. After Peter denied You, You called him to feed Your sheep. You picked up prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, the poor and the weak, and lifted them to a new level.

Lord, help me to be, like You, one who would bind up the bruised reeds, standing beside them till they are strong enough to stand for themselves, rather than one who would chop them down.