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A Bruised Reed and a Smoldering Wick – Part 2
Published June 18, 2026
Last week we looked at the bruised reed as a representation of brokenness, weakness and woundedness. I want to share the second part of that scripture out of Isaiah 42:3 which is the smoldering wick (CSB). The ESV says, “faintly burning wick”. The NASB95 says “a dimly burning wick”. The KJV and the NKJV say, “the smoking flax”, and the NLT says, “a flickering candle”. The image in all these versions is a poorly functioning lamp or candle, smoky and ineffective. Both the Isaiah passage and in Matthew 12:17-21 declare that our Redeemer will not extinguish or put out this smoking, dimly lit wick.
Have you ever started a fire at a campground or even in a fireplace? It starts out more smoke than fire. You may even wonder if you have any fire at all because all the evidence is mostly smoke. But smoke does not exist in the natural environment without fire, even if it is the smallest spark. As the fuel and oxygen continue to combine, the flames appear and soon a roaring fire is the result. And so, it is with our own walk is the spirit. Our fire starts out more smoke than flame. Then the flame of God’s fire takes hold of us and authenticate who we are in Christ – that lamp that gives light to the room.
What about the times when the smoke of my failures seems more obvious that God’s flame? Is there any fire left in me? Remember that smoke and fire always exist together in the Christian. Consider some of the people who knew and followed Jesus. Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16) – that’s fire. Then he turned around in verse 22 of the same chapter and rebuked Jesus with, “Heaven forbid, Lord, this will never happen to You” – that’s smoke. What about Thomas when he said that he would not believe unless he could place his hands in Jesus’ wounds – you guessed it, smoke. But then he turned around when he saw Jesus and proclaimed, My Lord and my God! – There’s the fire. One more…the spirit is willing = fire; but the flesh is weak = smoke.
And then there is the tendency that we all have to compare ourselves with the next person. Just because our fire does not blaze as high or as hot as others does not mean we have no fire. Fire needs fuel and oxygen. Holy Spirit can provide both of those, as much as we need or want. And there’s the grace of God that is ever present. He will not allow the smoking wick to go out. He will not abandon us. Every spark of God’s grace will be fanned into flame. Jesus promises this for all who call upon His name. Be encouraged that there is a spark in you, regardless of the circumstances. We are not what we used to be, but we are not yet what we are going to be.
Remember, our own walk in the Spirit starts out more smoke than flame. Then the flame of God’s fire takes hold of us and authenticates who we are in Christ – that lamp that gives light to our surroundings. Holy Spirit, blow on our fires!