IT IS HARD TO DRIVE A NAIL ONCE BENT

 

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

A Classic

 

IT IS HARD TO DRIVE A NAIL ONCE BENT

 

Eccl 1:15

15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

 

Eccl 7:13-14

13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

 

This proverb urges man to be in submission to the providence of God. We often decide that God has made things crooked and we then engage in the task of making the circumstances straight. We want the circumstances to fit our notion of what should be right. We preachers do this all the time thinking that to be our calling. It is a Messiah complex that often frustrates us when crooked people can’t be made straight by our efforts. Some things and some people can’t be made straight simply by wanting them to be.

 

We are left with two courses of action regarding the workings of God. These are listed in verse fourteen. First, in the day of prosperity when everything seems straight to us, be joyful and thank God that there are no uncomfortable twists and turns in the circumstances of your life. In the day of adversity consider that there is nothing certain in this life. The word “consider” means to study thoroughly or to meditate to fully and properly understand but we can’t fully understand why God does what He does. He has His own plans and purposes. In the absence of understanding He are to trust in His nature, wisdom and goodness.

 

It is hard to drive a nail once bent. There will always be a weakness that keeps it from piercing true. Some things once done can’t be undone and crooked people can be made straight by God alone.

 

Luke 13:11-13

11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

 

Jesus, Master Carpenter, make straight the crookedness in my loved ones and make straight the crookedness in me. AMEN

 

THE SHEPHERD’S REWARD!

 

Monday, July 27, 2026

 

THE SHEPHERD’S REWARD!

 

Matt 10:16

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

 

Luke 6:22-23

22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

 

          Every now and then a well-respected researcher will provide a long list of reasons why men abandon the ministry. They usually list long hours, little pay, and even less appreciation as incentives for the minister to quit. Impossible expectations, double standards, and human conflict add to the depressing weight. But these lists usually are missing some very important things.

 

          For every human conflict that the minister must endure there are innumerable steadfast friends! The long hours of being on call and on the job are balanced by flexibility. For every disappointing human failure there are countless reasons to rejoice, and even a few miracles along the way. This is not carpentry or mechanics. It resembles farming, which is subject to the quality of the soil and the timely mixture of sun and rain. God is the essential ingredient in every success and the comfort in every loss.

 

The concept of ministry is strengthened when the use of the Greek word ‎doulos ‎is noted. This was the term for a bondslave, one who was offered his freedom, but who voluntarily surrendered that freedom in order to remain a servant. This idea typified Jesus' purpose, as described by Paul in Phil 2:7.

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

 

          Raw statistics cannot, by themselves, measure the profitability of ministry. If you want to be rich, then enter the marketplace. If you want to be respected, become a physician. If you want power, become a lawyer. But if you want to make a difference in the lives of people for all eternity then the calling of gospel ministry has no equal.

 

1 Tim 1:12

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

 

Thank you, Lord, for the flocks you have placed in my hands. Let me always be faithful. Let me always measure success and failure in the same way you do. AMEN

 

A GOOD THING!

 

Sunday, July 26, 2026

 

A GOOD THING!

 

Prov 18:22

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

 

Gen 2:18

18 And the Lord  God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

 

          Solomon, who wrote these proverbs, had 700 wives and 300 concubines! Despite his evident difficulty, he certainly was right when he said “whoso findeth a [true] wife findeth a good thing.” It is hard to imagine the home life of this man!

 

          Several things come to mind as I think of what is meant by finding this “good thing.” I think we must begin with a good woman with chaste morals, incorruptible virtues and a tender heart. A good woman, however, would not necessarily be a good wife to all men. In Genesis the word “meet” means “a part opposite; a counterpart!” This speaks of a perfect fit. The idea is compatible temperaments, tastes, habits, culture and goals. This lady is hard to find, and so Solomon, who had a thousand to choose from, gets it right when he says that the man who finally finds her has obtained favor from the Lord.

 

          I have found her! She said yes! Fifty-eight years ago today a beautiful and talented young lady became my wife. My first sight of her literally caused me to tremble. I had found a treasure. I knew immediately that my search was over, but I was sure that God would have to cloud her vision against my ugliness and darken her mind to my faults. Oh, dear God, could it be? She said yes!

 

          This morning we won’t say much while sipping our coffee but simply enjoy being close and enjoying the only cool portion of a Texas day. We will glance at each other from time to time and smile without saying what each of us know. We have been given a good thing.

 

Prov 19:14

14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers, and a prudent wife is from the Lord.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the rich treasure you have given me in my wife. AMEN