Replacing the Nails

The book of Ezra tells the story of God’s people rebuilding the temple of God. The temple was a very important fixture in the worship and relationship of God to His people, the nation of Israel. The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:1, “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.” The temple was where God’s people met with the Lord, offered sacrifices, received forgiveness of sins, and learned of the wisdom and direction of God. It was the nail that held the nation together.

Around 610 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar invaded the city of Jerusalem and destroyed the temple—pulling out the nail that held the nation together. As a result, Israel was carried off into captivity.

But revival was on its way, and over several years the temple was restored and God’s people were able to meet with Him once again. Ezra prayed for the revival of God’s people in Ezra 9:8, “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.” Ezra was thankful that God’s grace allowed for an escape from bondage and the restoration of the nail that held their society together—God’s house, the Temple.

Spiritually, God’s people in America have been carried off into captivity. We are in desperate need of revival and rescue from the bondage of sin and the devil. What is the cause of our nation’s irreverence and rejection of God? Satan has effectively pulled out the nails—the strong nails of local, Christ-centered, holy, separated, soulwinning Baptist churches and has replaced them with an empty, weak, watered down, come as you are and leave as you were, self centered “hole.” As a result, communities all over America are falling apart.

Revival took place in Ezra’s day because a small remnant experienced the grace of God, and I am thankful that His grace has not run out! It is available today and can be claimed by today’s remnant of Bible believing Christians. The revival that Israel experienced flowed through the reestablishment of God’s house! The nails must be replaced today! Churches must be started. Our churches must reproduce themselves. Will you be the one who takes the hammer of God’s Word and finds a city falling apart in sin and nails that community back together with a local, New Testament Baptist Church?

Ezra shares three essential ingredients in Ezra 9:9 for replacing the nails and experiencing revival in our generation!

We Must Plant More Real Churches

Notice the statement in verse 9, “To give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God.” Lasting revival always flows through the local church. Where there is no church there is no lasting revival. Therefore, a national revival can only come through the planting of more churches. By real I mean biblical, Saviour sensitive, conservative, old fashioned, soulwinning, Baptist churches. No more phonies. No more weak, fleshly churches.

The heartbeat of revival must begin in the heart of pastors around our country who will allow themselves to become burdened for a city, raise up men in their church to go, and cultivate a spirit of cooperation with other likeminded churches to financially make this happen! We all want revival, but are we willing to do it God’s way and are we willing to pay the price?

We Must Purge the Ruin of Compromise

Ezra continues verse 9, “And to repair the desolations thereof.” The temple was in bad shape. It had been burned and pillaged and desperately needed to be sanctified again. Pagans had defiled the holy items, and the vessels of God had been stolen. God’s house was in desolation. It had been laid waste, destroyed, and left empty. Ezra contended that the Lord deserved a house that was different and pure—one that stood out from the others.

The same is still true today. We must build churches based on the everlasting truth of God’s Word! We must help the people of our communities know the principles of a church that is free of compromise. In many areas, the only church that people know is the compromised one. It is our responsibility to change that perception, and purge the ruin of compromise by faithfully standing on the truth!

We Must Protect from the Return of Catastrophe

Ezra concludes verse 9 with a preview of God’s plan for Nehemiah’s life, “And to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.” As Nebuchadnezzar left Jerusalem, he laid waste the great wall of the city. The wall that protected the people and the temple was destroyed. Anyone could come and go. Anyone could return and destroy the newly rededicated temple. Many years of labor would be for naught. So Ezra challenges the people of God to be sure to protect their city from experiencing this catastrophe again by building a strong, high wall of protection.

Men, as we plant churches and teach communities about the truth of God’s Word, let us be sure to build the walls of separation and sanctification. Let us protect our communities, and stand strong in the faith. Let us trust God to keep us where He has guided us!

Nothing will happen until the remnant gets serious about replacing the nails. Ezra saw revival because he saw the need. He knew what had to be done; he stayed the course and saw it through. Ezra picked up the nail and said, “Lord, where do you want it?”

Friend, is God leading you to plant a church? Has God placed in your heart a nail that He wants you to pound squarely into a community? If so, determine today to plant a real church, to purge the ruin of compromise and to protect from the return of catastrophe.