Through the Bible - Genesis 36-37, Matthew 13:1-58
Good morning,
When I was a kid, and admittedly into adulthood, I enjoyed playing with and setting off fireworks. Most often it was firecrackers or bottlerockets. These had fairly simple wicks which could easily be extinguished by squeezing them with your fingers or throwing them into water. The force in these little firecrackers was quite amazing. A bottle rocket could go a hundred or more feet into the air. Firecrackers did a great job of blowing up apples or other things. But if the wick was put out, nothing would happen.
For today's verse we'll go back to yesterday's N.T. reading, Matthew 12:
Matt 12:20-21
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope." NIV
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope." NIV
or from the NLT
20 He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21 And his name will be the hope
of all the world."
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21 And his name will be the hope
of all the world."
Sometimes sin, or circumstances in our lives like illnesses or accidents can seem to put out the spiritual wick in our lives. But as with firecrackers, looks can be deceiving, and a breeze or something else can get that wick going again, causing the firecracker to go off unexpectedly.
Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives can have that effect on us. He can re-light or breath/blow on our spiritual wick to reveal His power working through us. People can be surprised by the power released.
Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NKJV
The word for "power" in this and other verses is dunamis, which is the root word from which we get the word "dynamite". - dunamis (doo'-nam-is); force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):
God's relighting this wick is a miracle in itself.
Regarding the "smoldering wick", John Piper writes, "Nor quench a smoldering wick" (v. 20). My guess is that this morning some of you feel like your spiritual lamp has almost gone out. For some the flame is burning very low. For others all that's left is a smoldering wick. The word of the Lord for you this morning is that Jesus does not quench the little spark of spiritual life left in you. The Spirit of the Lord is upon him gentle for now. As long as this life lasts the atmosphere of Jesus is all oxygen. The faintest spark of spiritual life will glow and grow when it comes into contact with Jesus. "God sent not the Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved." Jesus did not come to snuff out your struggling flicker but to fan it carefully into a torch for his glory."
If your spiritual wick is smoldering and seamingly about to go out, may Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, rekindle that flame. To God be the glory.
In Christ,
Mike
Matt 12:15-22
Jesus, God's Chosen Servant
15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
18 "Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.He is my Beloved, who pleases me.I will put my Spirit upon him,and he will proclaim justice to the nations.19 He will not fight or shoutor raise his voice in public.20 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. 21 And his name will be the hope of all the world."
NLT
15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
18 "Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.He is my Beloved, who pleases me.I will put my Spirit upon him,and he will proclaim justice to the nations.19 He will not fight or shoutor raise his voice in public.20 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. 21 And his name will be the hope of all the world."
NLT
No comments:
Post a Comment