Jesus Isn’t Trying to Snuff You Out

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Our perception of God dramatically affects how we interact with Him and conduct our lives. If we develop an unhealthy and untrue impression of His character, we will always need help knowing how to approach Him.

One of the most dangerous notions about God is that He is so frustrated with us that He doesn’t want to help any longer. It centers on the belief that God kicks us while we are down. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

3 He will not break a bruised reed,
and he will not put out a smoldering wick;
he will faithfully bring justice.
4 He will not grow weak or be discouraged
until he has established justice on earth.
The coasts and islands will wait for his instruction.”

Isaiah 42:3-4

The Prophet Isaiah foreshadowed the coming Messiah in such a surprising way that it is difficult for many to believe: “He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick” (Isa. 42:3). By using these analogies, we learn that Jesus won’t break us when we are weak or snuff us out when we are flickering. 

You will typically find a reed growing in water or marshes. It is a tall, slender plant with leaves on the top and nothing on the side. The plant’s joints are hollow, increasing its chances of snapping and falling over. Planted in unstable terrain, with limited substance to keep it steady, the longer it lives, the easier it will break.

That description sounds much like our condition. The longer we live, the more our potential for collapse increases. Yet when Jesus finds us leaning over, He doesn’t push us further. He is not out to finish off the weak.

The passage also reveals that Jesus will not extinguish a smoldering wick. If you’ve ever seen that candle on its last leg, you know how delicate every moment is. You also know the stress of walking with a weak candle, hoping the movement doesn’t snuff it out. So, what do you do? You cover the candle with your hand, hoping it can make it to the conclusion of singing “Happy Birthday.”

If you know how to keep a candle burning, don’t you think Jesus also does? If you feel like your light is weakening, Jesus isn’t going to snuff you out. If you feel weak today, find comfort in knowing that Jesus will help you rather than hurt you.