The Nail Of Restoration

                         Nailed

            Driven through, piercing

     It pins me down and holds me here

Writhing on this cross, crying out in pain

He does His work, while keeping me near

             Setting free, releasing

                        Restored

There are things that God allows in our lives because they act as a nail which keeps us pinned to the cross.  Nails are painful and bothersome. The pain from the nail continually draws our eyes toward it.  Over and over we look at the nail and the bloody wound.  Over and over we contemplate being pinned down by it.

We ask God, "Why have you driven this nail through my hand?  Father, why would you wound me this way?"

And He answers, "Because this is the same way I wounded my beloved Son to set men free."

When we bear the wounds of Christ, we walk in the power of Christ to set men free.

"In that day," declares the Lord of Hosts, "the nail driven in a firm place will give way; it will even break off and fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut off, for the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 22:25)

And now for a little space grace has been showed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail [which secures us] in His holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. (Ezra 9:8)

The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods and well fastened nails; this masterful collection was given by one shepherd. (Eccl 12:11)

Then Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matt 16:24,25)