BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views
compiled by Frank McClelland for the
Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
260th Edition – September 14, 2025
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE TROUBLED
“A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench” [Isaiah 42:3].
Then I may reckon upon tender treatment from my Lord. Indeed, I feel myself to be at best as weak, as pliant, as worthless, as a reed. Someone said, ‘I don’t care a rush for you’; and the speech, though unkind, was not untrue.
Alas! I am worse than a reed when it grows by the river, for that at least can hold up its head. I am bruised, sorely, sadly bruised. There is no music in me now; there is a rift which lets out all the melody.
Ah, me! Yet Jesus will not break me; and if He will not, then I mind little what others try to do. O sweet and compassionate Lord, I nestle down beneath thy protection and forget my bruises!
Truly I am also fit to be likened to “the smoking flax” whose light is gone, and only its smoke remains. I fear I am rather a nuisance than a benefit. My fears tell me that the devil has blown out my light, and left me an obnoxious smoke, and my Lord will soon put an extinguisher upon me.
Yet I perceive that though there were snuffers under the law, there were no extinguishers; and Jesus will not quench me; therefore, I am hopeful.
Lord, kindle me anew, and cause me to shine forth to Thy glory, and to the extolling of thy tenderness. [C. H. Spurgeon].
JEHOVAH ROHI [Psalm 23:1]
7)MAN NEEDS A SHEPHERD
We are on a great journey from here to the afterlife. Like Thomas we ask, “how can we know the way? [John 14:5]. We need a guide, One who knows the way and can guide us. Jesus said, “I am the way.”
Jesus is our Shepherd. The eastern shepherd goes before the sheep to lead the way, to guard in times of danger, and to lead the flock to the sheepfold. That is the work Jesus does as our Shepherd.
The Lord came from heaven and returned to heaven. He knows the way and will lead us there [John 14:3]. As our Shepherd He leads us through all the vicissitudes of life and eventually bring us into His heavenly home where we shall be for evermore.
What a blessing it is to be able to say every day, “the LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
JEHOVAH NISSI [Exodus 17:15]
8)MAN NEEDS A BANNER
The Christian lives a good life. Because of a cleaner and more obedient lifestyle he is less liable to suffer from health and other issues than those who live carelessly and sinfully. That does not mean that he will not suffer difficulties because there is a devil, who will do all in his power to bring the believer down.
When the children of Israel were delivered from Egypt doubtless they were extremely happy, but it wasn’t long before they faced Amalek, whose name means ‘warlike.’ It would be a continual war [v16].
It reminds us of the believer’s continual battle with Satan, self, and sin. Moses built an altar for Israel called, “The LORD my banner.”
Jesus is our banner and through Him we have victory in every battle. “His banner over me is love” [Song 2:4]. Under such a royal banner the saints gather for the protection of their great Commander.
ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK
North America was thrown into shock this week with the murder of 31-year-old Charlie Kirk at a University in Utah. He was a Christian believer and leaves a young wife and two young children. He was also heavily involved in the political process and was closely allied to President Trump.
His attacker is one of a growing number of people who want to play God. They want to decide who should live and who should die. They act as judge, jury and executioner. But while they may escape detection and man’s judgment, they will certainly not escape God’s judgment. They will be made to know that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” [Heb. 10:3].
Kirk’s young wife, Erika, made a brave speech on Friday pledging to continue her husband’s extensive work among the young. Pray for her and her two young children at this horribly sad time.
