“A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench.” Isaiah 42:3
“Satan will come to you, saying, ‘You are a sinner;’ but do not allow him to fill your mind with the thought that because you are sinful, God has cast you off. Say to him, Yes; I am a sinner, and for that very reason I need a Saviour. I need forgiveness and pardon, and Christ says that if I will come to Him, I shall not perish. . . . ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ When Satan tells you that you are lost, answer, Yes; but Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. ‘A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench.’ The greater my sin, the greater my need of a Saviour.” –The Review and Herald, September 15, 1896
“To the heart of Christ the very presence of trouble was a call for help. The poor, the sick, the desolate, the outcasts, the discouraged, the desponding, found in Him a compassionate Saviour, a Mighty Healer. ‘A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory.’ Christ identifies His interests with those of suffering humanity, and He tells us that whatever we do to relieve a sufferer, we do for Him.” –Medical Ministry, p. 121
“People of all classes–men and women of wealth and honor, the rich and the poor, those in health and those afflicted with disease–came to Him, and He healed them all.” –The Review and Herald, August 10, 1897
“When Judas joined the disciples, he was not insensible to the beauty of the character of Christ. He felt the influence of that divine power which was drawing souls to the Saviour. He who came not to break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax would not repulse this soul while even one desire was reaching toward the light. The Saviour read the heart of Judas; He knew the depths of iniquity to which, unless delivered by the grace of God, Judas would sink. In connecting this man with Himself, He placed him where he might, day by day, be brought in contact with the outflowing of His own unselfish love. If he would open his heart to Christ, divine grace would banish the demon of selfishness, and even Judas might become a subject of the kingdom of God.
“God takes men as they are, with the human elements in their character, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and learn of Him. They are not chosen because they are perfect, but notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and practice of the truth, through the grace of Christ, they may become transformed into His image.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 294
“Christ has revealed Himself as a wise, patient long-suffering helper, full of divine pity. Be assured that He will not break the bruised reed. He will tenderly lead your steps in safe paths, guiding you into all truth. He will gladden the hearts of all who will give themselves without reserve to His guidance. He will impart to them gracious instruction.” –Pacific Union Recorder, June 2, 1904
“Study the life and character of Christ, and seek to imitate His example. . . . What benevolence, what compassion, what tender sympathy, Jesus has manifested toward suffering humanity! The heart that beats in unison with His great heart of infinite love will give sympathy to every needy soul, and will make it manifest that he has the mind of Christ. ‘A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench.’ Every suffering soul has a claim upon the sympathy of others, and those who are imbued with the love of Christ, filled with His pity, tenderness, and compassion, will respond to every appeal to their sympathy. . . . They will follow the example of their Master, and will go out to seek and to save that which was lost, obeying the Saviour’s words when He said, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ Every soul who attempts to retrace his wanderings and return to God, needs the help of those who have a tender, pitying heart of Christ-like love.” –The Review and Herald, October 16, 1894
Ellen G. White