He will not shout or cry out,
    or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.

How beautiful! There is no razamatazz about the Servant of the Lord’s ministry (unlike much of what we see today, sadly). Also, He is gentle with people, not domineering. Lord Jesus, please reproduce these characteristics in me, and in all who serve you.

‘Verse 3 (quoted in Matthew 12:20) has been a great comfort to believers down through the centuries. We often face times in our lives when we feel bruised, when our spirits are smouldering, almost burnt out, times when we feel that just one more blow would break us completely. If we will but turn to Christ at such times, we can be sure He will not allow us to suffer more than we can endure. We can be sure that whatever we experience will be for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28),’ Tom Hale: ‘Applied Old Testament Commentary’, p.1041.

‘Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.’ Whoever said this, (and it is a matter of debate), I’m sure we recognise the truth in it. Christian leaders, of all people, should exemplify God’s kindness (2 Sam 9:1).