God is concerned with the weak, forsaken and forgotten. In some gardens the bruised plants may get pulled up and cast aside, but not in the Lord’s garden.

We live in a culture where some associate only with people who are profitable to them. That may give some advantages in this life, but we have an eternal appointment with the One who also cares about how we treat the least and the bruised reeds in this life.

Years ago I was given this poem: “She lives in a garret – up a haunted stair – and even when she’s frightened there is nobody to care. She cooks so small a dinner – she dines on the smell – and even if she’s hungry there’s nobody to tell. She sweeps her musty lodging – as the dawn steals near – and even if she’s crying there’s nobody to hear…”

There are a lot of bruised reeds in our world that need the gentle love of the church; who long for a friend and someone to care. Jesus said that whatever we do for them we are really doing for Him. That’s something to think about.

Often we read that Jesus was moved with compassion. There never can be a heart truly great and generous that is not first compassionate. It is the motive of every action for those who would be like Jesus. It we show charity because it is our duty, and have not Love; what have we done? If I reach out a helping hand because I will feel guilty if I don’t; whose need did I really care about? Compassion is not a project that we do. It is a tear in a heart that cares about the tears in another person’s eyes.

Bruised Reeds come in many forms. They are not all poor; they may be rich. They are not always down and out; they just may be hurting with a broken heart. We encounter them every day (some days we are them): the bruised that have been walked on, hit by unkindness, tripped over their own sin, or knocked down by circumstances. The Gospel give good news to all who encounter Jesus: “A bruised reed He will not break.”