DAILY TEXT, for Friday, July 1. 2016

[Queen Esther]

 Friday, July 1.  2016

No crushed reed will he break, and no smoldering wick will he extinguish.—Isa. 42:3.

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/dt/r1/lp-e/2016/7/1

The apostle Matthew applied those words of Isaiah to Jesus. (Matt. 12:20) Jesus’ tender heart moved him to speak tenderly to others, especially to the downtrodden. He spoke in a way that lifted the spirits of those who were figuratively like a bruised reed or the wick of an oil lamp about to go out. He preached a message of hope “to bind up the brokenhearted.” (Isa. 61:1) He invited those who were “toiling and loaded down” to come to him, reassuring them that they would “find refreshment” for themselves. (Matt. 11:28-30) Jesus assured his followers that God had tender concern for each of His worshippers, including the “little ones”—those who may seem unimportant from the standpoint of the world. (Matt. 18:12-14; Luke 12:6, 7) How can we imitate Jesus in showing tenderness? Such emotions may not come naturally to us, but the Bible urges us to work at cultivating them. Then, tenderness will move us to want to make a difference in the lives of others, especially those who may be like a bruised reed or a smoldering wick. w15 2/15 1:13-15