Image source: FreeBibleImages.org

"The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah."  (1 Kings 17:16)

This article presents 19 Bible verses about God's provision for our needs.  "Tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers" (Philippians 4:6).

The scripture quotations below are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless indicated otherwise (Ref. 1).

Genesis 1:29 - "And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food."

Genesis 41:53-54 - "The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread."

Exodus 16:4-5 - "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.'"

Note - The Lord daily provided manna for the Israelite's daily needs and taught them to trust the Lord one day at a time.   Recall Jesus' instruction for how we are to pray: "Give us this day our daily bread."  (Matthew 6:11)

Deuteronomy 29:5 NIV - "Yet the Lord says, 'During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.'"

1 Kings 17:14-16 - "For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.' 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.'"

Psalm 23:1-2 - "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."

Psalm 34:10 - "The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."

Psalm 37:3-4 - "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:25 - "I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread."

Isaiah 55:1-2 - "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food."

Malachi 3:10 - "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

Matthew 6:11 - "Give us this day our daily bread."

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Note - Serve God as your first priority, and God promises to provide the things you need for daily living such as food, drink, and clothing (Matthew 6:11, Matthew 6:31).

Matthew 14:17-21 - "They said to him, 'We have only five loaves here and two fish.' 18 And he said, 'Bring them here to me.' 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children."

Luke 12:22-24 - "And he said to his disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!'"

2 Corinthians 9:8 - "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Philippians 4:6 TLB - "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers."

Philippians 4:19 NASB 1995 - "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." 

Note - Be a person who generously shares with others and supports your brothers and sisters in Christ when there is a necessity, and God will supply [literally "fill up"] your needs as well (Ref. 2).  Paul is commending the generosity of the Christians at Philippi.  They generously sent Paul a gift (donation) more than once (Philippians 4:14-18 NASB 1995).

1 John 5:14-15 - "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

References
1.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/
2.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4137.htm

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."  (Ephesians 5:18)

This lesson provides practical, scriptural steps pastors, teachers, and Christian workers can take to become filled (and refilled) with the Holy Spirit for the purpose of ministry. 

     Consider:  Why is it important for effective ministry to others for believers in Christ to be filled with the Holy Spirit?  Is being filled with the Holy Spirit a one-time event, or a repeated, continual action?

The scripture quotations in this article are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).

     God has already given us the gift of the Holy Spirit when we first believed in Christ.  The Apostle Peter spoke about this on Pentecost.  After Peter's Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:14-36), the people were "cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'" (Acts 2:37).  Peter replied to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). 

God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who put their faith and trust in God's Son, Jesus Christ.  God gives us the Holy Spirit:

• to be with us forever (John 14:16)
• to teach us (John 14:26)
• to empower us to witness effectively for Christ locally and throughout the world (Acts 1:8)
• to build up the body of Christ through a variety of ministries.*

* Example ministries include preaching, teaching, healing, contributing generously, singing songs, and waiting on tables.  References: 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-12, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 5:18-19, Acts 6:2-3.

     When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit indwells us.  The Holy Spirit comes and lives inside us.

a.  On the evening before his death, Jesus told his disciples that the Spirit of truth "lives with you and will be in you" (John 14:17).  The Holy Spirit's "will be in you" (indwelling) was fulfilled beginning at Pentecost and is equally fulfilled when people believe in Christ today. 

b.  The Apostle Paul wrote that the mystery which was hidden for ages God had made known then among the Gentiles "which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26-27).  The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit was for all people -- Jews and Gentiles -- who put their faith in Christ (Acts 10:44-45).

c.  Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in us (1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT). 

     "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit."  (Ephesians 5:18)

     Paul's instruction to the Christians at Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1) was that they be continually being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).  The Greek verb for "be filled" is pléroó (pronounced play-ro'-o) (Ref. 2).  Pléroó is in the Greek present tense which is a continued, ongoing, repeated action over time, not a one-time ("one and done") event in the past (Ref. 3, Ref. 4).  The instruction, "be filled [continually, repeatedly]," is second person plural ("you all") (Ref. 3) addressed to the Ephesian church as a group and to all who are believers in Christ today.

     Since the Holy Spirit already indwells us (believers in Christ), why then does Paul instruct us to be filled [continually, repeatedly] with the Spirit?

Perhaps you will have different thoughts, but here are the thoughts that came to my mind in answer to this question:

(1). I am a "leaky" vessel.  Perhaps you are, too.
(2). Our human bodies and our automobiles (motorcycles, etc.) need repeated food and fuel to run.  Similarly, when our spiritual energy becomes depleted through continually ministering to others, we need to take time, and prayerfully seek to be spiritually refilled and renewed by the Holy Spirit.

     This is the most important part of this "lesson."  When we are ministering as a preacher, teacher, an elder or deacon, or in any role as a representative of Christ, we need to be clean (fully confessed) vessels and channels for the flow of God's Holy Spirit power to others.  We need to be yielded completely to God's will and guidance.  We need to be filled and refilled with God's Holy Spirit so God's power for ministry flows through us to others.

Let me give some examples where praying to be filled (or refilled) with the Holy Spirit is scriptural and wise preparation for effective ministry:

• Elders preparing to pray for and anoint others in a healing service (James 5:14)
• Evangelism teams preparing to go into the local community and the world to witness for Christ (Acts 1:8, Acts 13:2-3)
• Pastors preparing to preach sermons (Romans 10:14-15)
• Church school teachers preparing to teach lessons (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB)
• Mission teams preparing to help the less fortunate and engage in construction ministries (Matthew 10:42)
• Musicians preparing to play or sing for worship services to the glory of God (Ephesians 5:18-19)
  
  

     This section respectfully suggests three scriptural steps you can go through to become filled (or refilled) with God's Holy Spirit for the purpose of ministry.  Before you begin your worship service, evangelistic outreach event, or daily mission work (or other ministry), pray through these steps beforehand.  You can pray either in private as individuals or together with your Christian ministry team members.
 
Confess - Yield - Ask

     "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  (1 John 1:9 ESV)

     Confess your sins to God.  In prayer, silently ask God to bring to your mind any unconfessed sins in your life.  Take plenty of time to do this (10 or 15 minutes is better than 30 seconds).  Tell God you are sorry for your sins.  Thank God for forgiving you all your sins through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus.

Don't keep revisiting past sins that you have already confessed to God.  In Christ, God has already forgiven your sins, and God remembers them "no more."  (References: Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews 8:12, Micah 7:19 ESV).

     "Submit yourselves, then, to God."  (James 4:7)

     Tell God, in prayer, that you yield your will, and your entire self to his direction and control.  Ask God to direct you, and to reveal his will to you during the ministry event that you are about to commence.   Ask God to help you and your team speak and act totally in accordance with his will, not your own.  (Reference: 1 John 5:14-15).

Recall that Jesus, before he completed his great sacrificial work (his voluntary death for us), had prayed to his Father, "Not my will, but yours be done."  (Reference: Luke 22:42).
                                                                                                                                      

     Peter and John and the other apostles and believers prayed.  "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus" (Acts 4:29-30).  "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly" (Acts 4:31).

In prayer, ask God to fill you (or refill you) and your team members with the Holy Spirit.   Ask God to enable the power of the Holy Spirit to flow through you and your team members for the specific ministry (such as a worship service or outreach event) you are about to begin.  God will honor your request and will fill you with the Holy Spirit.  Through the filling of the Holy Spirit, God will empower you for the purpose of effective ministry to others.  God will help you know what to say and what to do as you minister to others in Jesus' name.

     After these steps (confess - yield - ask), step out in faith.  Listen to God leading you, and then speak and act in the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit that God has given you.

     Apply.  Confess your sins to God.  Yield your will and yourself completely to God's will.  Ask God to fill you (or refill you) with the Holy Spirit to empower you in your ministry to others in Jesus' name.

References
1.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/
2.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4137.htm
3.  https://biblehub.com/interlinear/ephesians/5-18.htm
4.  https://ezraproject.com/greek-tenses-explained/

"And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."  (Isaiah 46:4 KJV)

God promises to sustain us through all the years of our lives - even through the years of our old age and "gray hairs" or "hoar hairs" (Isaiah 46:4).

     Consider.   If you already are in your "graying years," how have you experienced God’s grace and care for you as you have aged?  If you are young, how does God's promise to carry you to "hoar hairs" (gray hairs) give you hope for the future?

The scriptures quoted in this article below are taken from the King James Version (KJV) on the BibleGateway site unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).

      God encouraged the remnant of Israelites held in captivity in Babylon.  God said, "Even to your old age I am he" (Isaiah 46:4).  By the words, "I am he," God explained that he is the same God who had carried them from their birth, and that he had not abandoned them.  The scripture had a meaning for the Israelites both in the national sense and in the personal sense. 

a.  In the national sense, God had carried the Israelites since their birth as a nation, when God delivered them from Egypt.  For example, in Deuteronomy 1:31, God told the Israelites that in the wilderness he had "carried them, as a man carries his son" (Deuteronomy 1:31 NKJV). 

b.  In the personal sense, God was with them all the time from their own birth, and was carrying them throughout their lives into old age, and would never forsake them.  This same principle applies to us today who believe in God and trust him.  God takes care of us throughout our lives as children and adults, and we continue to experience God's grace and care in our years of old age and gray hair.

Notice in Isaiah 46:5, that God invited the remnant of Israel to compare himself to the idols of Babylon.  God has carried (and still carries) his people.  Idols need to be carried by the people who worship them (Isaiah 46:7).  Idols cannot deliver their worshipers from trouble (Isaiah 46:7).  God delivers his worshipers out of all their troubles (Psalm 34:17).

     The King James Version uses an interesting word to describe God's care for us through all of our life to advanced age -- "even to hoar hairs will I carry you" (Isaiah 46:4).  The old English word, "hoar" (spelled "h-o-a-r") dates to before the 12th century (Ref. 2) and refers to the grayish white color of hoarfrost (see picture).

In the Bible, God promises to carry us even to the time of our literal "hoary head" [gray hair, old age] (Ref. 3, Isaiah 46:4).  God's tender care for us lasts from our infancy, through our childhood and adulthood, to our old age and gray hairs.  God's care for us exceeds that even of our earthly parents.  Even when our earthly parents have passed away and we ourselves are reaching "old age," "the everlasting arms" of God "never weary" (Ref. 4).  "God's watchfulness, his providence, his protection, never fail" (Ref. 4).
​

     The same God who has made us also walks with us as children and as adults.  God does not cast us off in the time of old age or when infirmities come.  God does not forsake us when our strength fails (Psalm 71:9 NIV, Ref. 5). 

As we age, we who believe and trust in God continue to learn more each day about God's grace (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV).  God continually "bears us" [lifts us up] (Ref. 6).  God delivers us through all of our trials (Psalm 34:17, 19).  And, when our physical life is completed, God will carry us to our heavenly home (Luke 16:22, Luke 23:43, John 14:2-3).

     Apply.  Give thanks to God for his care for you, and for how he has carried you through your life, especially through trials.  Be assured and know that God will be with you into your old age and gray hairs.

Related Resource
"Bible Verses About Old Age and Gray Hair" (Ref. 5)

References
1.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/King-James-Version-KJV-Bible/
2.  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoar
3.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7872.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/46.htm
Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 46:4
5.  https://www.scriptureway.com/bible-verses-about-old-age-and-gray-hair
6.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5375.htm

Image source: Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org

"I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us ... for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth below."  (Joshua 2:9-11 excerpts) 

"By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace."  (Hebrews 11:31)

This lesson explains how Rahab of Jericho demonstrated courageous faith in the Lord God.  Despite the idolatrous and sinful culture around her, she welcomed the two Israelite spies that Joshua sent, expressed her faith in the Lord to them, and followed their instructions resulting in her deliverance and the deliverance of her family from the destruction of Jericho.

     Read.  Please read the Bible story of Rahab, the two spies, Rahab's faith, and the deliverance of Rahab and her family in Joshua 2:1-21 and Joshua 6:15-25.

     Consider.  In what ways did Rahab demonstrate her courageous faith in the Lord by her actions and words?

The scripture quotations in this lesson are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995 version) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).

     Rahab's choice to per her faith in the Lord resulted in her being protected and rescued through the coming destruction that the Lord was bringing upon sinful Jericho.  Recall that God had instructed Moses and the Israelites to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan because of their sin (Exodus 23:22-24, 27; Deuteronomy 7:1-4, 18:9-13).  The inhabitants of Jericho all had heard about the Lord's deliverance of the Israelites through the Red Sea about 40 years prior (Joshua 2:10, Exodus 14:21-22, Joshua 5:6).  However, only Rahab turned to faith in the Lord God.  Rahab courageously chose to put her faith in the Lord despite being surrounded by the culture of sin and "idol trusting" in which she lived.

Rahab not only turned to faith in the true God, but also put her faith into action.  Rahab welcomed in peace the two spies that Joshua had sent (Joshua 2:1, Hebrews 11:31).  She, at risk to herself, also hid the two spies from the king's men (Joshua 2:2-7).  James, the writer of the epistle that bears his name, commended Rahab for advising the two men to hide in the "hill country" for three days to avoid capture instead of attempting to cross the Jordan and return to Joshua immediately (Joshua 2:16, Joshua 2:22-24, James 2:25-26).

As a result of hearing about how the Lord "dried up the water" of the Red Sea before the Israelites, the hearts of Jericho's inhabitants "melted," and "no courage remained in any man" (Joshua 2:11).  Even though the scriptures say "no courage remained in any man" [literal male individual] in Jericho, Rahab was a woman of courage, and she turned to the Lord in faith (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - Ref. 2).  Rahab said to the two Israelite spies, "I know that the Lord has given you the land" (Joshua 2:9), and, "the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath" (Joshua 2:11).

Rahab's faith also was commendable in her conversation with the two Israelite spies because she negotiated protection and deliverance not only for herself but also for her family.  Rahab requested, "spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death" (Joshua 2:13).  On the day of Jericho's destruction, Joshua spared the lives of Rahab's entire family including her father and mother, her brothers and sisters, and all who belonged to them (Joshua 6:22-25).

Rahab faithfully accepted and executed the three conditions set by the two spies:
a.  Condition 1 - That she tie "this cord of scarlet thread" in the window through which she had let them down (Joshua 2:15, 2:18, 2:21).  For more information about the literal and symbolic meaning of indelible scarlet dye, check the lesson, "Come Now, Let Us Reason Together (Isaiah 1:18)" (Ref. 3).
b.  Condition 2 - That she would gather to herself into her house her father and mother and her brothers and her sisters and all her father's household (Joshua 2:12-13, 2:18, 6:22-23).
c.  Condition 3 - That she would not tell [inform] this business of the two spies (Joshua 2:14, 2:20, Brown-Driver-Briggs Ref. 4).

     The rest of the Bible story about Rahab has a very good outcome for Rahab.  After Rahab's deliverance from the destruction of Jericho, the Bible tells us that Rahab, a Gentile believer in the Lord God, "lived in the midst of Israel" (Joshua 6:25).  The Bible does not mention Rahab's marriage to Salmon of the tribe of Judah.  However, the Bible does say that Salmon and Rahab became the parents of Boaz (Matthew 1:5,  Ruth 2:1).  Subsequently, Rahab became the great-great-grandmother of king David (Ruth 4:21-22, Matthew 1:3-6).  The Bible refers to our Savior, Jesus Christ, both as the Son of God (Luke 1:34-35) and as the son of David (Matthew 1:1).  Since Rahab is in the ancestral lineage of king David, she also is in the ancestral lineage of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

"By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace" (Hebrews 11:31).

     In Hebrews chapter 11, the author includes Rahab in the honorable list of people who exemplified  great faith.  Rahab's inclusion in Hebrews 11 is exceptional in that she is only one of two women mentioned by name in this chapter along with the patriarchs, judges, and prophets that are included.  Hebrews 11:11 describes Sarah.

In the Greek in Hebrews 11:31, there is an interesting contrast in the words translated as "faith" and "disobedient."

     The Greek word translated as "faith" in Hebrews 11:31 is pistis (pronounced pis'-tis).  We think of faith as believing in, trusting in, having confidence in (Strong's Concordance - Ref. 5).  However, digging deeper, we see that the root meaning of faith is to be persuaded (HELPs Word-studies - Ref. 5).  Rahab was persuaded that the Lord was the true God (Joshua 2:11), and by courageously trusting in him instead of the local idols she and her family were delivered through the destruction of Jericho.  See Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."    

     And now, the surprise.  The Greek word for "disobedient" in Hebrews 11:31 is apeitheó [pronounced ap-i-theh'-o] and means refuse to be persuaded (HELPS Word-studies - Ref. 6).  Rahab had faith (she was persuaded that the Lord "He is God" - Joshua 2:11), and she was rescued from the destruction of Jericho.  Other than Rahab's family, the other residents of Jericho refused to be persuaded about (believe in) God, and they perished (Hebrews 11:31).

     Apply.  Are you persuaded that "God is" and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him? (Hebrews 11:6).  Turn away from trusting any idols in your life (religious idols or secular idols such as money). Put your faith and trust completely in the Lord God and his Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Exodus 20:3, Matthew 6:24).

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Related Lessons
"Come Now, Let Us Reason Together (Isaiah 1:18)"
This lesson explains the meaning of "scarlet."  Rahab tied a cord of scarlet thread in the window (Joshua 2:18).

"Faith Comes from Hearing" - Romans 10:17

References
1.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB1995/
2.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/376.htm
3.  https://www.scriptureway.com/home/come-now-let-us-reason-together-isaiah-118
4.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5046.htm
5.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm
6.  https://biblehub.com/greek/544.htm

Image source - Arabs for Christ at FreeBibleImages.org - Used under license

"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)

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory."  (Matthew 12:20)

This lesson explains the meaning of the three phrases from Isaiah 42:3 -- "A bruised reed he will not break," "A faintly burning wick he will not quench," and "He will bring forth justice" which Matthew quoted in Matthew 12:20.

     Consider.  Are you a "bruised reed" (emotionally, spiritually, physically) needing the mending of Jesus?  Come to him.  Jesus specializes in mending broken lives.   
 

The Bible verse quotations in this lesson are taken from the English Standard version (ESV) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).

     Jesus, our Savior, mends broken lives.  Instead of "breaking" (or discarding) people who are weak morally, physically, or spiritually, Jesus strengthens them and binds them up (Ref. 2).  Instead of dealing roughly with us when we come to him in our weakness, Jesus is tender and uses all gentleness and kindness toward us.

     Consider the account of the woman caught in adultery (the "bruised reed" in this example).  The scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus seeking to stone her to death (John 8:1-11).  Jesus made the woman's accusers realize their own sinful condition, and the scribes and Pharisees left the scene without casting a stone at the woman (John 8:5-9).  Then, without condemning her or further "breaking" her, Jesus spoke with her tenderly as follows. "'Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?'  She said, 'No one, Lord.'  And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more'" (John 8:10-11).

     The prophet Isaiah, writing several hundred years before Christ, prophesied about the Servant who was to come (Isaiah 42:1-4).  In Isaiah 42:1, God says "I have put my Spirit upon him."  This prophecy was fulfilled at Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:16-17).  In Isaiah 42:3, the prophet says, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice."

Matthew, the disciple of Jesus and the gospel writer, witnessed Jesus and his ministry.  In Matthew 12:17, Matthew observed that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-4.  In Matthew 12:18-21, Matthew quotes (and in places paraphrases) Isaiah 42:1-4.  When Matthew stated in Matthew 12:17 that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy, Matthew had just witnessed Jesus healing and restoring the man with the withered right hand (Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11).  That man also was an example of a "bruised reed" that Jesus restored.  After Jesus healed him, the man, who likely was a mason or plasterer by trade, could return to working with his hands again for a living instead of begging bread (Ref. 3, Ref. 4). 

Matthew also had observed that multitudes of people -- including Gentiles (non-Jews) -- came to Jesus, and Jesus healed them all (Matthew 12:15, Mark 3:7-8).  Jesus' ministry of healing and restoring "bruised reeds" then and today was and is for all people.  That is good news.

     Reeds are leafy cane plants that grow in watery or marshy areas.  (See the picture of reeds near the Jordan river) (Ref. 5).  However, scripture refers to reeds as fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind, easily broken, and unreliable when used as a staff (2 Kings 18:21, Matthew 11:7).

In Isaiah 42:3 the Hebrew word translated as "bruised" means broken or crushed but not entirely broken off (Ref. 6, Ref. 7).  Thus, the words, "bruised reed," refer to a person who has been crushed or broken down by a sense of sin, by calamity, or by affliction (Ref. 7).

     The good news is that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, does not break, consider useless, or discard people who are "bruised" emotionally, spiritually, or physically (Matthew 12:20).  Instead, Jesus forgives our sins, tenderly binds up our wounds, and cares for us.  Consider the multitudes of people who came to Jesus.  The scripture says, "And many followed him, and he healed them all" (Matthew 12:15).

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."  (Psalm 34:18)

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."  (Psalm 147:3)

     When Jesus encounters people whose faith has dimmed or who have lost hope because of the hard knocks of life, Jesus does not ignore, discard, or "extinguish" us.  Jesus nourishes the feeble flame, and rekindles our faith so his light in us shines brightly again.

     Consider the example of the man whose son had an unclean spirit which made his son mute, seized him, and threw him down in convulsions (Mark 9:14-29).  The man is an example of a "smoldering wick" whose faith was dimming from the long-term afflictions of his son.  The boy's father explained to Jesus that he had brought his son to Jesus' disciples, and they were not able to cast out the unclean spirit (Mark 9:18).  That must have been terribly disappointing.  Jesus asked that the boy be brought to him (Mark 9:19).  When the boy was brought to Jesus, the unclean spirit -- seeing Jesus -- immediately threw the boy into convulsions (Mark 9:20). 

The man's despair and weak faith is evident in the next verses.  Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has this been happening to him?"  And he said, "From childhood.  And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him.  But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us" (Mark 9:21-22).  "And Jesus said to him, 'If you can'!  All things are possible for one who believes'" (Mark 9:23).  "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24). 

Note that the man cried out to Jesus in his despair and asked Jesus to help him believe.  Jesus answered the man's plea.  Jesus rekindled the faith of this man who was a "faintly burning wick."  Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man's son, and the boy arose -- healed (Mark 9:25, 27).

     A smoldering or faintly burning wick of a lamp is just barely burning before the fuel runs out (Matthew 25:8).  The King James Version in both Isaiah 42:3 (KJV) and Matthew 12:20 (KJV) refers to the faintly burning or smoldering wick as "smoking flax."  In ancient lamps, the wick was a few strands of flax fiber or twisted cotton thread (Ref. 8).

     Jesus does not give up on us or chastise us when our faith becomes weak because of the calamities of life.  Jesus cherishes the feeble flame, ministers to us the "oil" of grace, and through the Holy Spirit, rekindles our faith in him.

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."  (Matthew 5:16).

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

    Jesus, the Servant prophesied by Isaiah, brought forth [proclaimed], and through his followers today still proclaims the Gospel truth -- God's good news of salvation through faith in Christ -- to all people (Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 12:18, Ref. 9).  In Isaiah 42:3, the justice [judgment] that the Servant would bring forth refers to the entire system of God's truth (Psalm 19:9-10 NASB, Psalm 119:160 NASB, Ref. 10, Ref. 11). 

Note that Isaiah prophesied that the Servant would spread justice [God's system of truth] not just to the Jewish people, but to the "nations" [all races, all people] (Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 12:17-18, Ref. 11, Ref. 12).  Through Christ, the Christian gospel -- God's truth -- is being preached and taught by Jesus' followers throughout the world today (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16).

     Apply.  Are you a "bruised reed" (morally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually weak) needing the mending of Jesus?  Come to Jesus now.  In prayer, tell him your needs.  Jesus will forgive your sins, and he will mend your broken life.

Are you a "faintly burning wick" with faith or hope that is nearly extinguished by affliction or by the calamities of life?  Put your faith and trust in Jesus again.  Jesus will supply the "oil" of his grace to rekindle your faith into a bright flame that will shine and bless others.

References
1.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/
2.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/isaiah/42.htm
Matthew Poole's Commentary - Isaiah 42:3
3.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healing_the_man_with_a_withered_hand 
4.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/matthew/12.htm
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible - Matthew 12:10
5.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7070.htm
6.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7533.htm
7.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/isaiah/42.htm
Barnes' Notes on the Bible - Isaiah 42:3
8.  https://www.gotquestions.org/smoking-flax-not-quench.html
9.  https://biblehub.com/greek/518.htm
Note, the Greek word for "proclaim" in Matthew 12:18
10.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4941.htm
11.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/matthew/12.htm
Barnes' Notes on the Bible - Matthew 12:18
12.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1484.htm

"Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it."  (Psalm 37:5)

This lesson explains biblically what it means to commit one's "way" to the Lord.  The verses below are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995 version) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).

     Consider.  In the context of trusting in the Lord, what do you think David had in mind when he wrote, "Commit your way to the Lord"? (Psalm 37:5)

     David wrote Psalm 37 about the security of those who trust in the Lord (see the heading for Psalm 37:1-6).  In Psalm 37:3, David tells us, "Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate [feed on] [God's] faithfulness" (Ref. 2, brackets added).  To "trust" in the Lord means to be confident, sure, and secure in the Lord (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - Ref. 3). 
 

     In Psalm 37:5, the scripture instructs us to "Commit your way to the Lord."  Let's look into the word meanings for "commit" and "way" in this phrase.

a.  The Hebrew word translated as "commit" literally means to "roll" or "roll away" (Ref. 4, Genesis 29:10).  The idea is for a person to roll or roll away a large stone (figuratively, a burden) which is too heavy for them to bear from themself onto the Lord, imploring his help (Ref. 5). 

b.  The Hebrew word derek translated as "way" in Psalm 37:5 has both a literal and a figurative meaning.  Derek literally means way, road, distance, journey, or manner (Ref. 6).  Figuratively, derek means our entire course or journey of life (Brown-Driver-Briggs -- Ref. 6).  When we confidently commit our "way" to the Lord, we entrust him with our life's journey including all of our cares, burdens, plans, and business.

Similar verse:

• Proverbs 16:3 -- "Commit your works to the Lord
  And your plans will be established." 
  
  Here, your "works" are the deeds, actions, and products of your life (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance - Ref. 7).
  
  

     Committing your way to the Lord and trusting in him go hand in hand.  Trusting in the Lord means putting your confidence in him (Ref. 3).  When we roll our life's journey, and all that weighs on us, on him, we have confidence that our life is in good hands (Ref. 8). 

Similar verses:

• Proverbs 3:5-6 -- "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 make your paths [figuratively, your course of life] straight."
  (Ref. 9, brackets added)
  
  

     The Hebrew verb translated in Psalm 37:5 NASB as "will do it" means literally to do or make, and more broadly, to accomplish (Ref. 10).  The English Standard Version translates this phrase as "He will act" (Psalm 37:5 ESV).  The King James Version translates this phrase as "He shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5 KJV).

When we roll our life's journey, and all that weighs on us onto our Lord Jesus, we have confidence and are sure that he will act and that he will guide us in the way that he determines is good (Romans 8:28, Proverbs 16:9).

     Apply.  Every day, in prayer, commit yourself and your way to the Lord Jesus.  Ask him and seek his direction for your life, that you may walk in the purpose he has for your life (Matthew 7:7).  Ask him to give you wisdom for your plans and decisions (James 1:5).  Trust him to provide for your needs in accordance with his will (Philippians 4:19, 1 John 5:14).  Cast your worries and burdens onto him (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).  Confidently know that the Lord Jesus will act in your behalf (Psalm 37:5).  He will bring to pass what is good for you according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). 

Thank the Lord and praise him for his answers to your prayers (Philippians 4:6 TLB).  Tell others, with gratitude and humility, what God has done for you (Psalm 66:16).  Your witness will encourage other people to commit their way to the Lord.

Related Lessons
"About the Way" - John 14:6
"The Way of the Lord (Old Testament)" - Deuteronomy 5:33
"Cast All Your Anxiety on Him" - 1 Peter 5:7

References
1.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB1995/
2.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/37.htm
Pulpit Commentary - Psalm 37:3
3.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/982.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1556.htm
5.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/proverbs/16.htm
Matthew Poole's Commentary - Proverbs 16:3
6.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1870.htm
7.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4639.htm
8.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/king-en/psalms/37.htm
Kingcomments Bible Studies - Psalm 37:5
9.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/734.htm
10.  https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6213.htm

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful."   (Colossians 3:15 ESV)

This lesson defines the peace of Christ and explains how we can have the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts.  Bible verse quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless indicated otherwise (Ref. 1).

     Consider.  Do you have the peace of Christ ruling in your heart?

     As believers in Christ, our hearts are calm and tranquil because we know we are saved by God's grace through faith in Christ (Thayer's Greek Lexicon - Ref. 2, Ephesians 2:8-9).  We have the peace of Christ in our hearts because we know that God loves us and has forgiven our sins (Romans 5:1, Romans 5:8, 1 John 1:9).  We have the peace of Christ in our hearts because we know we have received God's gift of eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 6:23, John 10:27-28).

When we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have nothing to fear from God.  We have peace with God.  Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1 NKJV).

     On the night before his crucifixion and death, Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure from them.  Jesus told them about this precious gift that he was giving them -- his peace.  Jesus gave them -- and he gives us, people who have faith in him -- the same gift, his peace.  Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27).

The things of the world will not give us peace (1 John 2:15-17).  Only Jesus, the one whose nature is peace, gives us true peace, the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).  True peace, the peace of Christ, is tranquility of our soul despite the worldly circumstances around us. 

     The Greek word translated as "rule" in Colossians 3:15 means to direct and control (Thayer's Greek Lexicon - Ref. 3).  To have the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts, we must yield completely to God's direction and control of our lives -- present and future.  Don't be like Jonah who knew God's will for him and then rebelled against God (Jonah 1:1-3).  Be like our Lord Jesus who lived on earth to do his Father's will (John 6:38) and said to his heavenly Father, "not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42 KJV). 

When we trust God and are yielded to God's will for us in each of life's circumstances, we will know the peace of Christ.  The apostle Paul writes, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).  The peace of God [that peace which reassures our heart] keeps our thoughts and our hearts quiet and at rest as we trust in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 AMP, Philippians 4:7 TLB).   

     The Lord Jesus, by his blood shed on the cross, has made Jewish and Gentile believers into one (Ephesians 2:11-14).  He has made believers of diverse (ethnic, national, gender, economic, civilized/uncivilized, etc.) background into one body (Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11, Ref. 4).  He also calls us -- as diverse and uniquely gifted believers -- to live in unity as one body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6, Colossians 3:15, 1 Corinthians 12:12).  Yet, Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).  We can live with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the peace of Christ when we put on a heart of compassion, have patience with one another, forgive one another, and love one another as the scriptures instruct and as Jesus commanded (Colossians 3:12-14, John 13:34).

     An "attitude of gratitude" is a hallmark of a Christian who is at peace with God, themselves, and other people.  Through Christ, we can be thankful through difficult circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  We have the peace of Christ knowing that our Lord Jesus loves us, has forgiven us, is with us in the present, and assures us of our future with him (Philippians 4:4-7, John 14:2-3 AMP).

     Prayer.  Lord Jesus, I yield control of my life to you.  I submit to your will and direction for my life.  Come, Lord Jesus, and rule in my heart.  Thank you for giving me your peace.  Help me to live in peace with others and to share you, the giver of peace, with others.  Amen.

Related Lessons
"The Remedy for a Troubled Heart (John 14:1)"
"The Peace of Believing Prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)"
"What is Eternal Life?" - John 17:3

References
1.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/
2.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm
3.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1018.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/colossians/3.htm
Barnes Notes on Colossians 3:11