It is said of the Lord’s Servant, meaning, Jesus “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. (Isaiah 42:3).
He will bring forth justice, not by breaking or quenching the weak, wounded and overborne; he will nurture them faithfully in truth and justice.
This remarkable power Jesus shares with his followers. “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.” (Isaiah 50:4).
We can speak peace to our brothers and sisters in Christ. How can we do that? With a kind word. A knowing glance. A timely card. A sincere hug. A lunch date.
Your pastor is on the front lines of spiritual warfare and I do not always win. I fall prey to discouragement, thoughts of worthlessness, ineffectiveness. I allow Satan to plant disturbing questions in my mind. How can someone like me serve a holy God? How can a pastor have so many weaknesses and wrestle with so many sins” Depression haunts me at times and a downcast soul is my all too frequent companion.
But then it comes. A kind word from a brother. An encouraging thought from a sister. A card in the mail. The warm smile of Christian fellowship. The prayer offered in all sincerity. It is then that the clouds thin and the sun begins to shine on my weary soul.
We need each other. The race marked out for us is long and fraught with anxiety. Satan can often hinder our progress. We need each other. We need to spend time with those who are taught to “sustain with a word him who is weary.”
So, learn this secret. And, having learned, speak. Strengthen your brothers and sisters on their journey. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2).
And, on the flip side, allow your brothers and sisters into your cold, dark weariness. May they be a light to you when all other lights go out.