PAST LENTEN SEASONS WITH YOU ON THIS BLOG
CAUSE ME TO SO LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT GOD WILL DO IN 2017!
MY FRIEND TWILA RECENTLY SAID, “JESUS IS AS REAL TO ME AS YOU ARE.”
I PRAY WE CAN ALL SAY THAT BY EASTER SUNDAY!
I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT WHERE HE IS LEADING FOR THIS LENT.
ISAIAH CONTAINS “SERVANT SONGS” DESCRIBING THE COMING MESSIAH.
EACH SONG UNVEILS MORE OF HIS BEAUTY,
MORE OF HIS LOVE FOR YOU.
FOR EXAMPLE,
THIS WEEK WE WILL LEARN THAT HE IS SO GENTLE
THAT HE WOULD BE CAREFUL NOT TO BREAK A BRUISED REED
ANOTHER WEEK WE WILL SEE THAT HE IS EVEN BETTER THAN
A MOTHER WHO WOULD NOT FORGET THE BABY AT HER BREAST
WHEN WE GET CLOSE TO HOLY WEEK WE
WILL BEGIN TO GAZE ON A LOVE THAT WAS WILLING TO BE CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES
EACH WEEK I WILL POST A STUDY ON A NEW SONG
AND YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG SILENTLY,
OR PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY WITH A WONDERFUL GROUP.
JUST CLICK ON THE BIBLE STUDY BLOG AT THE TOP OF THE HOME PAGE
AND THEN IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THIS PICTURE:
CLICK ON THAT AND FOLLOW THE EASY DIRECTIONS.
I give a suggested timeline to help you pace yourself, but go ahead if you like.
If you get behind, don’t drop out, but just do what you can.
It is important to get in a regular habit of a time and place to meet with Him.
You may need to cut something from your life to carve out a time daily for Him
if meeting with Him is not already a habit.
SUNDAY: FEB 26TH
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
2. If you have participated during Lent on this blog, can you give some encouragement to new people to come and stay the course?
3. IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A PLAN!
When and where will you meet with Him on a daily basis? Do you need to carve something out to make time?
MONDAY: GETTING READY
Lent actually begins this Wednesday, traditionally called Ash Wednesday to remind us that from ashes we came and to ashes we will go. And yet, if the Spirit of Christ is in us, He will raise our mortal bodies just as He raised Christ from the dead. One day, as Job said, we will meet our Redeemer face to face on the earth. But He can be as real to you now as your spouse, your best friend, or your neighbor. From Ash Wednesday to Easter, not counting Sundays, there are 40 days, paralleling Jesus 40 days spent in the desert preparing for His ministry. The opening chapters of Isaiah prophesy much judgment, much “bruising” coming to God’s disobedient people. But by Isaiah 40 there is a promise of comfort, of a servant to come that would be nothing like they could imagine.
Prepare your heart with this:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dDjva1ecYo
James tells us we have not because we ask not, and when we ask, we often do not ask according to His will. But we know His will is for us to know Him better, to love Him better, and so now, today, please write out your request to Him to help you be intimate with Him this Lent, and to experience His presence. We have many who begin and drop out — pray you will stay the course. We will get weary, but if we wait upon Him, we will rise up, as Isaiah 40 promises, like eagles!
4. Write your request here to Him:
Material to enhance your study:
We will be listening to many sermons from Tim Keller from his series, the Servant Songs. We won’t listen to all, so you may want to purchase one by one — but they are all great. Here is the link if you want to get them all: http://www.gospelinlife.com/the-songs-of-the-servant-from-isaiah
TUESDAY, FEB 28TH: THE SERVANT IS COMING
The first servant song is found in Isaiah 42:1-4. It is so laden with meaning that we will study it this week and next week, taking the first part “a bruised reed he will not break” this week, and “a faintly burning wick he will not quench” next week. There is so much here that will be a balm to your soul.
4. Read Isaiah 42:1-2
A. Find at least six things that will be true of the Messiah that Isaiah says is coming.
B. How might this be different from the kind of Messiah God’s people expected?
5. Read Isaiah 42:3-4 and find two metaphors that show what He will be like.(verse 3a)
ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017 THROUGH FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017
A BRUISED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK
I remember pacing and crying out to the Lord at my 93 year old mother’s deathbed. I had taken the baton from my sister Sally at midnight, pacing, praying. In dying, the internal organs disintegrate, and Mother was suffering so. I cried to God: “You promised you would not break a bruised reed. Mother is just a baby Christian. Please take her, and don’t break her.” And Oh! Right after I prayed a Christian nurse came in, telling me God had told her to come in early. (It was 3:00 A. M.) She knelt down and talked to my little mother, telling her she didn’t need to be afraid to die, for she was completely forgiven. Mother calmed, opened her eyes, smiled — and was gone. It was the Word God knew she needed to let go. He didn’t break her, He spoke tenderly to her, comforting her, just as He told Isaiah to comfort His people!
Richard Sibbes, that great Puritan, wrote a devotional on this first servant song called The Bruised Reed. (Some of you may want to get it, for it is only 99 cents on Kindle.) My questions this week and next owe a debt to Sibbes.
6. In the following instances, how did either the pre-Incarnate or the Incarnate Jesus care for “bruised reeds?”
A. Genesis 21:8-21
B. 1 Kings 19:1-9
C. Luke 7:11-15
7. Share a time (if possible, recently) when you were this kind of a bruised reed and the Lord brought you comfort.
We often think of “bruising” as being a lighter affliction, but as Keller explains in next week’s sermon, the word bruise is used prophetically in Genesis 3, when we are told that the serpent will bruise Jesus heel and Jesus will bruise his head. Neither bruising is light.
But he will crush (or some translations say bruise) your head.
The Lord bruised Israel, but only to bring them to their senses. Likewise, He does so with individuals. When they come to their senses, Oh, how He comforts them rather than breaking them.
8. How did God bruise but not break the following individuals?
A. Luke 15:11-23
B. John 8:1-11
C. John 21:15-179.
9. The story of Joseph at the end of Genesis is illuminated by Spurgeon who says that Joseph foreshadows Christ in that he “bruised” his brothers in order to bring them to repentance, but he did not break them. Read Genesis 44-45 and describe the bruising and then the mercy.
10. Share a time when God bruised you to bring you to your senses concerning your sin, but He did not break you.
Contemplate this from Richard Sibbes:
Christ’s way is first to wound, then to heal. …When he humbles us, let us humble ourselves, and not stand out against him, for then he will redouble his strokes. …Do not pull off the plaster before the cure be wrought, but keep ourselves under this work till sin be the sourest, and Christ the sweetest, of all things.
11. Be still before Him. Let Him search you. Confess and repent, not “pulling of the plaster of conviction until sin is the sourest and Christ the sweetest.”
Saturday:
12. Has the presence of Christ become more real to you in this opening week of Lent? What do you think you will remember?
178 comments
7. Share a time (if possible, recently) when you were this kind of a bruised reed and the Lord brought you comfort.
“This kind” of bruised reed? As Hagar experienced abandonment and the pain of watching her child suffer. As Elijah felt defeat and deep fear in the shadow of recent victory. As the widow felt hopelessness and deep sorrow over the death of her only son.
Many of us here have the bruised-reed heart of a mom whose adult child is in a dark, lonely, confusing place. And there has been no quick relief. But we recognize the mercy of our God as we wait. For me, it was last week, traveling 800 miles and being with my child. It had been eight months since we were last together. Still asking our God to rescue.
Have long-loved this Amy Carmichael poem:
Amist the multitude of thoughts
Which in my heart do fight
My heart, lest it be overcharged,
Thy comforts do delight.
Lovely from Amy Carnichael. I resonate with it!
Diane and Chris,
Thank you, both, for describing how your sorrow and associated depression has affected you, for it is valuable to know that we are not alone in how we journey through this world.
from Genesis 21:8-21 This is what struck me most out of this familiar story. Ishmael was probably an older teen (my footnotes said) and the mocking or disrespect for his little brother, Isaac….probably isn’t too hard for any mom to understand. Sibling jealousy/rivalry. After all, we see ‘wife jealousy/rivalry’ in this and many OT stories.
God’s tender care to this whole family, I see on three levels.
1.) He first comforted Abraham, who was distressed greatly over what concerned his firstborn son, Ishmael. God spoke words of assurance ‘Don’t be distressed’ inferring that He would care for Hagar and Ishmael. He also reinforced the promise of a great nation and multitudes of descendants. He even comforted Abraham with the word that Ishmael also would also lead a nation.
2.) He comforted Ishmael by providing water for him. Ishmael was crying. I had wondered about his age, when I read that it was Isaac’s ‘weaning celebration’ though I know that children probably nursed till they were 3 or so. It still seemed like Ishmael must have been quite a bit older to ‘mock him’. My notes said ‘late teens’ maybe. I took that at face value. Anyway….interesting to me, because a teen would certainly know the fate that no water in a remote desert would mean. He likely cried, not just because he was uncomfortable, but because he was hopeless.
3.) He comforted Hagar by having the angel tell her that Ishmael would be okay! Even though, Hagar couldn’t see him, since she had moved far enough away so she wouldn’t have to watch him die. As a mom, I can see that there is no greater pain than knowing your child is suffering…..no matter how old the ‘child’ is….and there is nothing you can do to help. I wish I could trade places with that child every time. Hagar had to be in such misery; more so for Ishmael than for herself. And GOD KNEW THAT! He sent the angel to tell her that God had heard the boy crying and all would be alright!
And then He ‘opened her eyes’ which he often has to do for us in a figurative sense. In this case, it was a literal opening and seeing an actual sight. A well! Fresh water was available. But then….isn’t that what He gives us too, when our eyes are opened to see and receive it? Living Water, the fountain of Life, Takes me back to the song Dee posted earlier based on chapter 55:1 from Isaiah…...”Ho, everyone who is thirsty of spirit. Ho everyone who is weary and sad. Come to the fountain. There’s fullness in Jesus, All that you’e longing for; come and be glad. “I will pour water on him who is thirsty. I will pour floods upon the dry ground. Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing; while you are seeking Me, I will be found.”
Great to see how He comforted all three, Wanda!
Good afternoon ladies, first time joining Dee’s Lent Bible study. Looking forward to it and now to catch up with reading.
A Seattle friend! Steve and I lived in your beautiful city and loved it. I now have a son there with his wife and six children. So glad to have you Anna!
We have another newcomer, Jan — she’s on page 1. Please welcome her too!
Jan & Anna–welcome! So glad you have joined us!
Welcome to this encouraging place, Jan and Anna.
8. How did God bruise but not break the following individuals?
A. Luke 15:11-23
The father showed the son mercy.
B. John 8:1-11
Jesus gave the woman a second chance to do right. He showed that we are all sinners who need second chances. He told her to “…sin no more.”
C. John 21:15-179.
Hmmmm….I’m not quite sure about this one. Jesus continues to ask Peter if he loves Him. I guess He was trying to press into Peter that he had not shown the love to others that Jesus expected of him? The sheep He refers to are the people. He tells Peter to feed them, and tend to them. I wonder why he says “feed” twice, and uses sheep instead of lamb the second and third time? Is this an important point?
Hi, really don’t know what to say
Welcome Judi–glad you’re joining the study!
Thanks.
Judi — just join in — you can share your answers to questions or just follow silently. Glad to have you!
9. The story of Joseph at the end of Genesis is illuminated by Spurgeon who says that Joseph foreshadows Christ in that he “bruised” his brothers in order to bring them to repentance, but he did not break them. Read Genesis 44-45 and describe the bruising and then the mercy.
Joseph “set” his brothers up by planting a silver cup in the youngest brothers’ knapsack. He then had the brothers searched and it was found. The brothers begged for him to not keep the youngest as a slave because they needed him to return to thr father, who was heart broken because he thought Joseph was dead. Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and told them to go get the father and bring the entire family back to live in Egypt.
The original bruising was Joseph being sold off into slavery by his brothers. The mercy was he became a leader in Egypt not killed; he was spared. This story describes Joseph bruising his brothers by making them think one of them had taken a chalice and would be punished for that act. They were indeed worried that one of them would have to pay for the crime. They felt remorse. Instead, the mercy was that he revealed himself – that he was still alive, to his brothers and that he wanted them to come and live with him. He would take care of the entire family.
10. Share a time when God bruised you to bring you to your senses concerning your sin, but He did not break you.
Just two days ago, actually. I ‘took the bait’ when a relative made some snarky political comments on facebook and my reaction was not Christ like. A couple of subsequent exchanges and I couldn’t sleep for hours that night. I felt miserable the next day, and waking up to see there was another reply to me, I responded by saying I was not finding the conversation helpful, and would not engage any longer. But, I still felt bruised. I was hurt by his words but also by my own sin in the words I had used in reaction. This morning, it became clear to me that though he had hurt me, I needed to apologize. (I also need to learn how not to bite when the bait is set before me). I thought of how I was not wearing ‘the armor of God’, I was not ‘in step with the Spirit’ Galatians 5: 24 and the fruits of the Spirit came immediately to my mind. I Corinthians 13 also came to mind. I had not shown the kind of love that offers a long suffering, patience etc. I sent a note of apology just a half hour ago. I confessed and have been forgiven by God. I feel free again and not under that miserable bondage of conviction I had when I hadn’t repented.
Been there, done that Wanda. You were right to sit on it and then apologize if you felt it was right to do that. It doesn’t matter what others choose to do, we indeed are required to put on the “armor of God” if we are to profess Christianity, right? Hard though sometimes….
12. Has the presence of Christ become more real to you in this opening week of Lent? What do you think you will remember?
YES! See my above response of how God bringing me to my senses regarding a sin. That was a loud and clear message that came while I was reading and privately responding to the scriptures and stories in this lesson.
What I think I am going to remember is that visual image of a bruised reed yet one that is swaying in the breeze. I think of that breeze not as James talks about a wave being blown and tossed about by the wind BUT rather like the strong but gentle Wind of the Spirit that convicts, refreshes and comforts and causes me to feel His presence and know that He is always with me.
Such a good picture!
10. Share a time when God bruised you to bring you to your senses concerning your sin, but He did not break you.
I started to recite an incident with my two teens years ago and then realized I have something way “better” than that…unfortunately.
We raised our children in church; going to church, Wed night dinners, children’s choir, VBS, Sunday school, youth group, etc. One HUGE problem though…we didn’t truly KNOW Christ , so how could we expect our kids to know Him? What a horrible sin ?. I can’t take those years back. So sad it makes me cry to think I didn’t teach my children the most important thing in their lives. I was all about rules, regiment, rituals, and how we looked as a family to others. Ugh. The saving grace (mercy) that God has given us is that I do know Him now and am doing my best to show Him to others including my children. The boys don’t live with us though, so I’m not sure if I am getting the opportunity to demonstrate His true love or not, but I can’t do anything about that can I? God will help them know somehow.
I think we all wish we could take back some of our parenting years, Laura. Yet, God doesn’t waste them…..and I believe He will use now, your humble spirit and continuance of love to show your kids what walking with Jesus really looks like. God bless you.
Thanks for the encouragement Wanda.
Laura, I echo Wanda….I believe we all wish we could have a “do-over” with our children. I also remember how I thought I was doing such a good job with my boys because I read Keys for Kids to them daily and tried to teach them the Bible….I thought it was all up to me. I wasn’t raised in a Christian home so I really didn’t know what I was doing. I should have spent more time praying for them instead of believing that I was the one who could save them.
12. Has the presence of Christ become more real to you in this opening week of Lent? What do you think you will remember?
I do feel God’s presence this week. He is near. I have never heard the “bruised reed” reference (that I recall). I will not forget it now.
Wanda and Laura, I have had those moments too with our daughter where my regimentedness was more loud than I what I had say is love. I praise God that He is giving me a second chance with our daughter. She will turn 26 next month and I feel like we are starting to relate better like about a year or so ago. She seems to be more willing to listen to me and asks for my advice. Her faith is still a sensitive subject between us.
12. Has the presence of Christ become more real to you in this opening week of Lent? What do you think you will remember?
This week has been a struggle with my health because of my shoulder pain. I am limited to what I can do and yet I have felt the presence of Jesus and His enabling me to go up “the heights”. There were days I feel I can sleep standing up (hahaha)-nights have been short. Just when I would feel really vulnerable, He would bring a word of encouragement from somebody, a student helping me, smiles of 8th graders who were on tour about my funny stories-they all remind of the comfort of Christ and how undeserving I am of His lavish love. And how His blessings do overflow IF I just look for them and be grateful.
Here is a special song I heard at a conference with Ann Voskamp. I shared it on FB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2h9Hm9JZho
Let is be Jesus, From the rising of the sun When all is said is done I’ve never need another…
for me to live is Christ
Let it be, let it be Jesus. Should I ever be abandoned ,…… surrounded by the fire and flame
there is a name I will remember… proclaim
Let is be Jesus.
6. In the following instances, how did either the pre-Incarnate or the Incarnate Jesus care for “bruised reeds?”
A. Genesis 21:8-21
He didn’t leave Hagar and Ishmael alone in the wilderness to die of thirst and to continue to feel humiliated and shamed. Instead He came mightily to comfort her physically and emotionally. When Hagar cried out He didn’t just fill her wine skin, He gave her a well to fill it and he didn’t only take care of their physical needs He told her He was going to make her son into a great nation. I see Him filling her places of pain with His comfort and care.
B. 1 Kings 19:1-9
God came to Elijah when He cried out and was afraid and alone in the wilderness wanting to die. I think he was anxious and depressed. God cared and comforted him by providing food and water saying his journey will be too great to do without this food. I think the fact that God responded was enough comfort for him.
C. Luke 7:11-15
A mother who was also a widow lost her only son for she was a deeply bruised reed. Jesus had compassion on her and went to her saying do not weep and healed her son raising him from the dead.
7. Share a time (if possible, recently) when you were this kind of a bruised reed and the Lord brought you comfort.
In this season where my oldest has turned from God and has been foolish. This has been the deepest bruising I think I have ever felt. In the beginning I was devastated and cried out, “God you said your word would never come back void and He has your word deeply implanted, and you said you would be faithful-I don’t understand, what did I do wrong!?” I was angry. Then His still small voice comforted me saying this has to happen-it isn’t up to you-trust me. And satan came with accusations, and still does. Every time we go to church satan whispers-“everyone thinks you are a horrible parent-look at your son.” But I let go a while ago entrusting his spiritual journey and heart to God for God moves and sways hearts-not me!
RECENTLY, my son posted a comment someone made to an atheists comment on his f.b. page. In general my son was agreeing that when Christians pray for you it is truly sincere out of love and not for any other motive. He was disagreeing with an atheist who said the opposite. God was giving me a small window into my son’s heart that he does see Jesus love through us for we have told him we are praying for him in regard to a recent struggle he had. He is comforting me that He sees, He cares deeper than I do, and He is moving.
This story about your oldest son’s turning from God and your intense pain, and now a tiny window of hope is so poignant, Rebecca. Oh my heart, I am praying for your son and for you. You remind me of this verse, which you are modelling to us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.”
Rebecca, I also know that kind of pain….when we see our children seemingly so far from Him. I am glad that you see clearly that it is a LIE that Satan accuses you of being a horrible parent….he is a liar through and through and is always accusing us, but we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense!
I have just finished this week’s study, and it was wonderful. Dee, you asked “Has the presence of Christ become more real to you in this opening week of Lent? What do you think you will remember? My answer is YES, He has, and I experienced His presence through doing this study and through His revealing things to me that I had not seen before. I am also reading Union with Christ, and learning that the same God who is talked about in the Bible is the same one speaking to me through it.
Just a few things that grabbed me….in looking at the passages and reflecting on how Jesus cared for “bruised reeds”, the story of Hagar and Ishmael. I thought I was so familiar with this one that at first, I assumed God heard Hagar sobbing in the desert as she didn’t want to see her boy die. And Wanda did a beautiful job in her post of describing how God cared for Abraham, Ishmael, and Hagar….all three bruised reeds. But, I went back and read these passages again, and caught it the second time that “God heard the boy crying….” I thought about how Ishmael had been sent away from the only home he ever knew, and from his father who loved him, and how despairing he must have felt. And this: “God was with the boy as he grew up”. How does God care for bruised reeds? God was with Ishmael because his father, Abraham, could not be there anymore. GOD IS A FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS.
In the case of Elijah, I see that God cares for bruised reeds by meeting their practical needs. Elijah was alone, tired, hungry. He just wanted to die. God gave him food, water, and rest, and Elijah was strengthened by that food and water so that he could go on.
In the widow’s case who lost her only son, Jesus had compassion for her grieving. His heart went out to her. What is must have meant to her, even before Jesus raised her son, that he reached out and touched her son’s coffin. A no-no for sure, as I think it would’ve been considered unclean. These are all examples of how God also wants us to care for bruised reeds.
How did God bruise but not break the following: In Luke 15, he let the rebellious son go. He allowed him to live foolishly and spend all his money, and end up hungry, poor, and in a land where no one cared enough to help him. To break him would have been that when he returned, to offer him no forgiveness, or to have said as he went away, ‘Don’t ever show your face around here again!’ But his father never stopped loving him and did not cut him off, but welcomed him home.
The woman caught in adultery was bruised by having her sin brought out for all to see – shame. But it was a bruising for healing to have her sin brought into the light….before The Light. The Pharisees meant it for evil, but God meant it for her good. Jesus gave her grace – I do not condemn you, and then the demand – now go and leave your life of sin.
Peter’s story was a little hard for me to understand. I think I saw a bruising in John 21:17, “Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time (if he loved him)…” Peter had previously denied three times even knowing Jesus. But his relationship with Jesus was healed and restored, and Jesus gave Peter a big responsibility to care for His sheep. One way God straightens bruised reeds is by giving them a second chance, and showing that He can still use us even when we’ve failed.
In asking God to search my heart, and to confess and repent, “Not pulling off the plaster of conviction….” I see how I have failed to be like Jesus, the One who does not break bruised reeds. There is something in my sinful nature that, when I encounter bruised reeds in my own life, I want to cross my arms and keep them away, or not forgive, or to have no compassion or tenderness, or even feel contempt or disgust. To want to break them, not help them straighten. That is not the example that Jesus has left for me to follow, and how I have seen it demonstrated as I studied these passages. That is how I am being convicted.
These passages have been very helpful to me this week, and I know that God is speaking to me through the image of the bruised reed.
I am pondering the quote from Richard Sibbes, “Christ’s way is first to wound, then to heal” and the rest of the words…
I am being humbled through this season and my prayer is just to keep myself under this work. Yes, I am being convicted and this season is a time to draw closer.