The Fastened Nail

"And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons." (Isaiah 22: 22-24)

This is a prophecy of Jesus the Messiah. He is the one who, as the son of David, has the "key of David." He is the one who "shuts and none can open" and who "opens and none can shut." (See also Revelation 1: 18 & 3: 7)

He is said to be a "nail," and one whom the Father would "fasten (firmly fix) in a sure place." He is to be nailed and no one will be able to pull or claw out this nail from its place.

Certainly Christ was "nailed" to the cross by the eternal decree of God. He was crucified in accordance with the love of God for sinners, for those who were "chosen to salvation" from "before the foundation of the world." (II Thessalonians 2: 13 & Ephesians 1: 4)

The Lord Jesus Christ is indeed a "nail" upon whom "hangs" all the glory. All praise to him belongs. Every true Christian gives all the glory to the Lord for their salvation. They credit no other. He alone is worthy of this praise. But, praise God, Christians not only "hang" upon the Lord Jesus all the glory, praise, and honor for salvation, and for every blessing they receive in life, but they also "hang on him" all their burdens and cares!

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (I Peter 5: 6,7)

Jesus takes all our cares and sorrows upon himself, as we bring them to him, and he gives grace and deliverance. He is ever ready to comfort those who come to him with their burdens and cares. O the sympathizing Jesus! No one cares like he! His love is genuine. He truly cares. There is no pretention about him. Isaiah said "He is despised and rejected of men" and "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." It is further said by the prophet - "Surely he hath borne OUR griefs, and carried OUR sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for OUR transgressions, he was bruised for OUR iniquities: the chastisement of OUR peace was UPON him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53: 3-5)

"He has carried our sorrows" and has "borne" on his shoulders all "our grief." O how precious is this news!

We all know, as experienced sinners, what the Psalmist meant when he described the following common life experience:

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living." (Psalm 142: 3-5)

I have been there and you have been there. Where do you flee for comfort and refuge when you are overwhelmed in life? when the sorrows, burdens, and cares of life seem a load greater than Atlas could bear?

In bygone days, it was a common practice, when entering a house, for people to take off their hats and outer garments and to "hang" them on a nail of some kind. What a beautiful analogous picture of the life of the believer in Jesus! We are able to come to him and "hang," not only all the "glory" he deserves from us, but are able also to "hang" upon him all our grief and care!

Friend, does "refuge" fail you in times of sorrow and grief? Does it seem that no one really cares? Let me tell you that Jesus is one who does care and who has all that you need to deal with all of life's trials and difficulties. You will never make it through these alone. Why not come to him today and "hang" all your care upon him?