July 19

Morning

and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. — Deut 5:24 BSB

God’s ultimate purpose in all His works is to display His own glory. Any lesser aim would be unworthy of Him. But how can His glory be revealed to fallen creatures like us? Human beings tend to be self-centered, always seeking their own honor and overestimating their own abilities. This makes us unfit to truly behold God’s glory. For that reason, self must step aside, making room for God to be exalted. This is why God often leads His people into trials and difficulties—so that we might become aware of our own weakness and folly and be prepared to see His majesty when He brings about our deliverance.

Those whose lives are easy and smooth will see little of God’s glory, for they have few opportunities to be emptied of self and made ready to be filled with God’s revelation. Those who sail small streams and shallow creeks know little of the God of tempests, but those who "do business in great waters" see His "wonders in the deep." It is in the midst of the towering waves of sorrow, poverty, temptation, and reproach that we learn the power of Jehovah because we realize how small we truly are.

Thank God, then, if He has led you along a rough road. It is this path that has given you the chance to experience God’s greatness and kindness. Your troubles have enriched you with knowledge that could not have been gained any other way. Your trials have been like the cleft in the rock where God placed Moses, so you could behold His glory as He passed by. Praise Him that you were not left in the darkness and ignorance that continued prosperity might have brought. Instead, through the great fight of affliction, you have been made capable of seeing His glory in His wondrous dealings with you.

Evening

A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. — Matt 12:20 BSB

What could be weaker than a bruised reed or a smoldering wick?

A reed growing by the marsh is fragile. If a bird lands on it, it breaks; if a man brushes against it, it bends and cracks. Every breeze that blows moves it to and fro. There’s nothing more frail, brittle, or in danger of being destroyed than a bruised reed.

Then consider a smoldering wick. Yes, it has a spark, but it’s barely holding on. Even the softest breath could snuff it out. Its flame is the very picture of fragility.

These images describe weakness, yet Jesus says, “I will not break a bruised reed; I will not snuff out a smoldering wick.” Some of God’s children are strong, able to do mighty works for Him. He has His Samsons here and there, those who can tear down the gates of Gaza and carry them away. He has a few lion-hearted ones. But most of His people are a timid, trembling lot. They’re like little birds, startled by every passerby. They are a small, fearful flock. When temptation comes, they fall like birds caught in a trap. When trials threaten, they’re ready to faint. Their fragile boats are tossed about by every wave. They drift like sea birds on the billows—weak, without strength, wisdom, or foresight.

But in their weakness, they receive this special promise! What grace! What compassion! How it reveals the tenderness of Jesus—so gentle and kind! We never need to shrink from His touch. We never need to fear a harsh word, even though He has every right to scold us for our frailty. Bruised reeds will receive no blows from Him, and the smoldering wick will see no frowns.