“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 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. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Lord —Isaiah 42:1-9

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The Modesty of God
By Jennifer Kane

He moves in silence,
guiding the stars across unseen highways,
cradling galaxies in His palm,
yet asking no applause,
no signature scrawled across the heavens.

The earth drinks deep from unseen wells;
rivers dance to His quiet music.
Fields blossom, mountains breathe,
and still,
the Maker hides His hand.

A bruised reed trembles—
bent, battered by the wind—
but He stoops low,
not to snap,
but to strengthen.
With a tenderness mightier than storms,
He binds the broken with unseen cords of mercy.

A smoking flax smolders,
threatened to snuff out in ash and weariness,
yet He cups the fragile light,
breathes life into the ember,
till flame leaps again, fierce and free.

Power without boasting,
Majesty without noise—
this is the mark of my God:
working wonders in the hush,
bearing witness without demand,
content to be unseen,
so that His love alone is known.

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Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

When we think of power, we often imagine loud voices, commanding presences, and forceful actions. But God calls us to see true strength in a different way — by fixing our eyes on Jesus, His chosen Servant.
“Behold My Servant!” He says. Not “Behold My conqueror” or “Behold My warrior,” though Jesus is both victorious and mighty. No — He points us first to the Servant heart of His Son.

Jesus, the one who created the heavens and earth, chooses to serve. He does not crush the weak or overlook the broken. Instead, He binds up bruised reeds and fans the smoking flax into flame. In His great strength, He leans down in great gentleness.

The Servant is not weak — He will not fail or grow discouraged. He brings justice that no earthly ruler can achieve. Yet, He moves not with shouting and bluster, but with a quiet spirit, a heart set on restoring the broken. His strength is proven not by domination, but by compassion.

Even now, Jesus serves us. He intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. He patiently strengthens our hearts when we are discouraged. He gently lifts us when we stumble, filling us with His Spirit so that the flame of our faith is rekindled.

How amazing that the One upholding the universe upholds our trembling hearts!
How humbling that the King of Kings bends low to lift us up!

When we feel like bruised reeds — fragile, bent, nearly broken — Jesus does not snap us in frustration.
When we feel like smoking flax — barely flickering — He does not extinguish us. He revives us.
He serves us out of the greatness of His love.

Today, “Behold His Servant” — not only with awe at His might, but with wonder at His humility. And as we behold Him, may we also be transformed to serve with the same heart of strength and gentleness.

How does it change my view of Jesus to remember He is still serving me today?
How can I imitate His gentle strength in how I treat others?

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Lord Jesus, thank You for Your mighty love and humble heart. Thank You for serving me with gentleness and patience, even when I feel weak and broken. Help me to trust in Your strength and delight in Your care. Fill me with Your Spirit, and shape me to serve others with the same heart You have shown me. In your name Father God, I pray, Amen.

April 26 2025