SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 42
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. [Isaiah 42:3-4]
Isaiah describes God’s messiah as a loving, gentle leader who will tirelessly work for justice and mercy!
He will describe and demonstrate God’s justice and mercy in a clear and compelling way… but people won’t get it.
For some reason, the very people who ought to know better do not see it, do not understand it.
You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing. [Isaiah 42:20]
Where gentleness and grace do not succeed, God has no choice but to turn up the pressure – not out of a cruel spirit but out of compassion!
So he poured out on them his burning anger, the violence of war. It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart. [Isaiah 42:25]

I believe that God is constantly trying to get our attention, to get us to see how desperate life is without Him.
He is patient and merciful, but also firm and clear when required – tough love.
This is not something He turns to quickly, for He is “the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” [Exodus 34:6-7]
But eventually He has to deal with our closed, stubborn hearts – they did not take it to heart!
For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. [Matthew 13:15-16]

Is my heart closed, am I missing the messages of God in my life?
How long has He graciously put up with my shallow love and commitment?
How long has He patiently worked with me in my stubborn resistance to surrender?
He does not want to break me – as a bruised reed; He does not want to snuff me out – as a smoldering wick.
But He is ultimately committed to establishing justice on the earth, and if there is any injustice or immorality or selfishness in my heart, He will deal with it.
Now is the season of grace and patience, but in time He will address my stubborn refusal to repent with “burning anger”… will I understand, will I take it to heart?
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. [Romans 2:4-5]

PRAYER:
Lord, some people may wonder why I need to talk about repentance… but You have shown me my heart, and I know the shame that lives there. Help me not to show contempt for Your kindness, tolerance and patience. May it lead me to repentance!