O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:19-21 NIV)
Author James Michener related a story about his neighbor whose apple tree stopped producing apples. The neighbor nailed rusty nails into the tree’s trunk and received the greatest crop of apples he had ever had. It seems that those nails shocked the tree into renewing its purpose of producing apples.
Michener’s story was his illustration about his own experiences and what he learned from them. Michener claimed that his heart surgery, hip replacement, and other ailments were God’s rusty nails hammered into the trunk of his life. His health issues got his attention and reminded him of God’s purpose for his life. They shocked him into considering that this life is brief and evaporating. Michener got God’s message and authored eleven books in five years. Many of them were best sellers!
The “bread of adversity” and the “water of affliction” can be measures of discipline that do not “seem pleasant at the time” (Hebrews 12:11). Yet, such unpleasant experiences may be the catalysts for a later “harvest of righteousness and peace” (Ibid).
Sometimes we need a “come to Jesus” meeting or the proverbial “wake up call.” Consider that we might need to simplify our lives; to identify and implement healthier lives and relationships; to pursue God’s purpose; to discover unknown gifting and talents; to develop new ways of coping and performing; and to become inspiring examples for others. The rusty nails hammered into our lives are never so severe as those which held Jesus to the Cross of Calvary.
Perhaps our rusty nails are divine notices to get on with his business. Perhaps they occur for the purpose of exhorting us to take hold of the purpose for which God has taken hold of us (Philippians 3:12). It is God’s will that we achieve his plan and purpose for which He has called us. As his servants, we have his gracious promise that He will hear us when we call for help. “As soon as he hears (your cries), he will answer you.”
Dear Father, thank you for your discipline. Empower us to get on with pursuing your will and purpose for our lives. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today as you pursue God’s will for your life,