THE FAMILY ALTAR - F.W. Hertzberger

November 3.

"A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall

He not quench."  Isaiah 42:33.

This comforting promise in Isaiah, Matthew cites in the 12th

chapter of his gospel. He tells ns there, in the 20th verse, how

this glorious promise was fulfilled in our Lord Jesus, who in His

divine compassion went about preaching the Gospel of the kingdom

to great multitudes and healing all their sick. Do we not often

grow sick at heart when we see how weak we are in faith, and

hope, and love, how unworthy, unprofitable our life and conduct

must be in His holy sight on account of our many shortcomings

and backslidings ? Ah, yes, we often resemble such a bruised reed

that is entirely worthless, such a smoking flax that no longer sheds

any light and ought to be extinguished! But, oh, the adorable

gentleness, and forbearance, and saving mercy of our compassionate

Eedeemer ! What sorrowing soul ever came to Him for help and

was turned away? The Lord knoweth our frame, He remembereth

that we are dust. He pities us and loves us just because we are

so weak and frail and helpless, even as a kind parent pities and.

loves his sick, deformed, and suffering child above all else. How

tenderly God assures us of His loving-kindness that will not cast

us away, but will strengthen our faith and love and kindle them

into newer and brighter flame ! In all the world there is nothing

more weak and helpless than a babe at its mother's breast. Yet

our compassionate Lord gives us this assurance: "Can a woman

forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on

the son of her womb ? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget

thee/' Let us despair ever and always of our own goodness and

worthiness, but never and nowhere let us despair of the saving

help and love of our faithful Eedeemer.