The Bruised Reed - Chapter 2

I'm still playing catchup on the blog posting for the Puritan Challenge for last month, so here are some thoughts on the second chapter of The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes.

Chapter 2 - Christ Will Not Break the Bruised Reed

Sibbes starts out the chapter by describing Christ's tender care towards us as one who who will not break a bruised reed. He explains that a doctor sometimes causes pain in a treatment, but it is for the cure of the disease. He continues by pointing out that the titles Christ gives himself, as husband, shepherd and brother, reveal a relationship of care.

Christ is one who truly cares for us and desires to build us up even though we are put through trials and often are brought to a lower opinion of ourselves by conviction of sin. In light of a renewed awareness of Christ's tenderness and care, Sibbes says:

"What should we learn from this, but to 'come boldly to the throne of grace' (Heb. 4:16) in all our grievances? Shall our sins discourage us when he appears there only for sinners?" (p. 9)

So often I find I can withdraw myself from God when I feel that I have sinned, but he appears with open arms now as when he first drew me to him. His arms are open to sinners. Sibbes goes on to note that our confidence and comfort should not be drawn from our circumstances, but from the Lord himself.

"His presence makes any condition comfortable." (p. 9)

This is something I truly desire, to in the midst of crisis or trial direct my gaze upon Christ and delight and take comfort in his work, his person and his promises. Sibbes then asks who are the bruised reeds. He describes them as people who see that God and his favor are the greatest good and that sin is the greatest evil. The bruised are people who are challenged and grieved not only by trials and circumstances, but of their sins most of all. How do we come to this state of thinking? Sibbes offers some thoughts on working with God to bruise ourselves:

"There is a dangerous slighting of the work of humiliation, some alleging this for a pretence for their casual dealing with their own hearts, that Christ will not break the bruised reed; but such must know that every sudden terror and short grief is not that which makes us bruised reeds; not a little 'bowing our heads down like a bullrush' (Isa. 58:5), but a working our hearts to such a grief as will make sin more odious unto us than punishment, until we offer a 'holy violence' against it." (p. 12)

That challenges me, I pray that more and more over time I would fight sin primarily because of its evil rather than merely for fear of punishment. This seems a daunting task for sure and would be if we had to do it by ourselves, but God provides grace. Fighting sin with this 'holy violence' is tough and often taxes our spirits. However, here Sibbes encourages us:

"But if we have this for a foundation truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us, that there can be no danger in thorough dealing. It is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell." (p. 12)

What a great truth to meditate on and remember. Truly our sin is great, but the mercy and grace of Christ and the cross are far far greater.