'Hammer and Nails'

S – Jeremiah 10:14

 

‘They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with Hammer and Nails so it will not totter’

 

O – Jeremiah brings a message of contrast between what people create as a source of strength and focus for admiration and worship. ‘Hammer and Nails’ are the tools used for fixing. It is a resource that man uses in limitation to build and to make strong. It is the present, the pragmatic that can focus on keeping something from falling over or to make it look good. No matter how good or great the craftsman – the hammer and nails process cannot create Life as the magnificence of God the Creator and Sustainer. Jeremiah was addressing their belief that in their ‘Hammer and Nails’ they had the ability to fix or create anything of strength or durability.

 

A – The ‘Hammer and Nails’ is a challenge to me to not rely on the pragmatism of my own methods, insights or ‘fix it’ in the Kingdom. I know how easy and often I can resort to ‘quick fixes’ another nail here or there to keep it together or to give the appearance of strength. This takes me into a wrong thought and belief that my hands can bring strength and building into the Kingdom. The Kingdom is not built on my pragmatism or 'fix it' mentality. Jeremiah brings to me the right perspective in verse 6; ‘No one is like you O Lord, you are great and your name is mighty in power’ – when I consider the mighty power of God at work in His Kingdom, my hammer and nails start to fall into right perspective. I think this is showing me less of my works by hand and more of allowing the mighty power of God to work.

 

P – Lord, I see so much of my own ‘Hammer and Nails’ attitude in my serving. Make me to be more aware of my limitations to fix, to build and make strong. In your Kingdom let there be more of your power and less of my ‘fix it’ or keep it ‘looking good’ mentality.