A Smoldering Wick & A Bruised Reed

He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.

Matthew 12:20 (WEB)

Many people in the world feel worthless. They may feel invisible or too broken for any good to come from their lives.

Jesus never discards a scarred soul. One who has been marked by the world as too dilapidated for any good is treasured by the Savior. Jesus places the loveliest music and the most skillful artistry in the hands of a battered soul. Jesus diffuses His life saving Gospel through their lives and various ministries.

Sometimes we find ourselves in those lowly places because of our own poor life choices.

Sometimes others have caused us great harm.

People like that can’t look others in the eye. Some feel that everyone knows about their failures.

Shame is a constant sorrow. Often, those souls don’t want to draw attention to themselves for fear of making a mistake or appearing foolish.

But those broken reeds and smoldering wicks are quite often the people God chooses for the most amazing tasks.

More importantly, He pours His love and devotion on them. He redeems them, because that’s what He loves to do!

Rahab was one such life. We don’t know much about her back story. We know that she lived in Jericho, a pagan city in the Jordan Valley about 650 years before Christ’s birth.

Bible scholars believe Rahab owned an inn. But despite being known as Rahab, the Harlot, Joshua 2:1, (WEB) she became a true heroine.

Did Rahab choose her profession out of necessity to provide for her family?

Was she a victim of abuse? Maybe her choice was just a bad decision based on a depraved heart.

Who knows?

What we learn by reading her story in the Old Testament is significant.

Rahab paid attention to the awesome power and reputation of God. She heard stories about the mysterious God of the Hebrews and believed them.

Above all, Rahab found her faith in the one and only true God.

“ …For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.” Joshua 2:9-11 (WEB)

From our limited human perspective, Rahab would be one of those bruised reeds. God should never have considered her as useful in life. She should not have been included in the lineage of Jesus.

Matthew 1:5-6 & 16

But God did consider her.

In His mystifying and wonderful way, God took this damaged woman. He considered her worth redeeming just like you and me.

Rahab had a role in God’s great plan to offer salvation not only to the Hebrews but to Gentiles, too.

Rahab had faith in God. She believed He was the Lord of Heaven and earth. Because of her faith, this broken woman has a place in God’s story.

Rahab also has a home in Heaven. God uses her story to point to her Savior. Yes, Jesus is in the Old Testament, too!

 By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.“

Hebrews 11:31 (WEB)

There are so many great stories of broken people in the Bible. God has graciously redeemed them.

He gave each a purpose and hope. Their lives became a living display for His power, authority and love.

There is hope for you and me, too. No matter how bad your failures or how deep your scars God loves you. God sees you. He has a plan for you.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (NIV)

1 John 3:1

How beautiful are the feet of those who share the Good News

Isaiah 52:7 (Paraphrased)

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.