One Little Nail

One little nail–what good is it? Think about it. What would we live in if not for the nails that hold the house together?

Ezra 9:8-9 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Imagine how Ezra felt. Israel had been in captivity for 70 years due to their sin. A remnant had been allowed to return, but all they found was a mess–heaps of stones of what used to be the temple, the walls, and their towns and homes. The people became discouraged and confused with the task at hand. Rebuilding was too much; they just couldn't do it.

Are we not like those people at times? We look around and see so much indifference to the things of God. Some people turn and leave Him. It discourages us and magnifies the task of our faith. Why go on? Why continue to meet? There is so much against the Christian now days. Remember that the same God that built the temple in Solomon's day was the same God that would help Ezra and Nehemiah build again. That same God is our God; he's the same in a full church house as an empty one.

Nehemiah and Ezra looked around at the destruction and knew that rebuilding could be done. Verse 8 shows what he had going for him. He said God showed grace to give us a nail in his holy place. If God has saved us, he has given us a little nail in his holy place– our churches– to help hold them together. He's given us a place. We are people with purpose. What are we doing with that place? Have we lost our sense of purpose?

We see carpet, paneling, sheet rock, and padded pews. Churches need little nails. Are you waiting for God to work in some big way? Do you just think about how it used to be? Don't wait. It's with you now, the nails! A nail is tiny in comparison to what it holds together. What would all the things that make a church building be without all those nails, many of which we do not see. The nails matter, but not for their own glory. They work to make what they hold together look good. We are the nails.

Do you think your nail isn't worth much? If your nail is not doing what it should, something in the church is loose. The place we are to be is important. In truth, we can be replaced; we are all expendable. God can get another nail, but HE WANTS YOU! With the help of the Lord churches are held together by their people. Success depends on the faithfulness of its members. Nails need to be in their place for the glory of God. Nails work together to hold things together, else it will fall. We don't have toothpicks; we have nails. Nails are tough.

How about your nail? The Carpenter of Nazareth has given you one. The hammer is in your hand. Are you using the hammer or the claw? One pushes the nail in its place; the other pulls it out. Turn your hammer around if need be. Use your nail. If you nail is bent, make it straight on the altar. Is it loose? A loose nail is a hazard. Drive it in again. Ask the Lord where he wants you to hammer. Take hold of your nail and hammer and go to swinging.

In Ezra's time Israel was rebuilt through the labors of individuals pooling their talents and working together. If they can do it, we can. God has given you a nail! Where is it?