"Hope Giver"

When the ancient prophet said it,

He described Him just this way,

Said He wouldn’t break the weakest reed,

That’s what he had to say.

And some of us with flimsy faith,

And bruised beyond repair,

Wondered if we mattered,

Or if even God would care.

And what we found, it gave us hope,

‘Cause there to make us strong,

Was One who saw how weak we were,

And sins that made us wrong.

And yet He looked and loved us,

Saw the candle burning low,

But never did snuff out the wick,

But heated up our glow.

Of what would have been ashes,

With nothing left at all,

But He said I still want you,

We clearly heard that call.

They say that if forgiveness comes,

To him who sinned a lot,

The love they have is stronger,

For all the grace they got.

They say the one whose soul is sick,

When He comes to heal,

They’re not ashamed to let it show,

Because of how they feel.

An old, bruised reed without a hope,

A flame that’s ‘bout to go,

He came for those without a doubt,

Just ask me how I know.

“ A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out…” (Matthew 12:20, NIV)

Matthew’s gospel quotes the ancient prophet Isaiah’s description of the Messiah. Jesus has been going from place to place healing all the sick. Matthew saw this as the promised one giving hope to the hopeless. He won’t break a flimsy, bruised reed nor will he snuff out a smoldering wick. Both are prophetic illustrations of those who are absolutely out of options. But then Jesus comes along and does the miracle that only He can do. Paul spoke of the God of hope who fills us to overflowing with hope. Jesus is the hope giver.

Lord, fill us to overflowing with hope, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, markmaggiori.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.