Carelessness

Benjamin Franklin was wrote, “For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy; and for want of care about a horseshoe nail.” This truly was a small matter from the start, but had severe consequences. Are you about to lose or have you already lost the nail in your possession?

Come, let's take a look at a few examples of what can happen if we are careless with our nail. In Isaiah 47:1 & 8-11 we see that Babylon was destroyed because they were careless in taking care of God's people. God had given them to the Babylonians, but they were very careless with God's goods and they suffered for it. Remember that you are God's! Are you being careful with what is His or careless with your nail?

In the days of Ezekiel the prophet, God chose to destroy Egypt because they too were careless with their nail. They had mistreated God's people and He had had enough. “On that day messengers shall go forth from Me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great anguish shall come upon them, as on the day of Egypt; for indeed it is coming!” (Ezek. 30:8)

Once again we read of God's judgment upon a people because of their carelessness. God is very serious about taking care of what is His. In this example we see the inhabitants of the coast lands of Magog and Magog itself will be destroyed because of their actions against Israel (Ezek. 39:6). Are you taking care of you own nail?

In Zephaniah we read of the judgment against north Assyria, which included the city of Nineveh. They declared, “I am it, and there is none besides me.” (Zeph. 2:15) They nor you can declare, I am it and get away with it. God is a jealous God and will not tolerate carelessness with your obedience to Him. Do you feel your nail coming out?

In Isaiah 32:9 we see where the women of Jerusalem had become complacent. Their complacency had allowed them to become very careless. So careless that their livelihoods would be taken away. Do you have a job today? Do you want one tomorrow? Are you gambling that you do not need God in your life and that you can do everything by yourself. Have you become very careless with the nail God has placed in your hand?

Let's look at one last example found in Acts 18:12-17. You can become careless with your nail when you choose to sit by and do absolutely nothing as did Gallio in the case of Paul. Is God calling you to action and you are choosing to sit by idle thinking He does not notice? Remember that God is omnipresent. He sees and knows all. You cannot go unnoticed and He will find you out.

There is yet another nail that needs to be mentioned here. Not just one nail, but three. Jesus Christ was not careless when it came to His nails. He bore each one and He did it for YOU! We are asked to take care of one nail. To make sure it stays obedient and faithful to one God and one Savior. How are you doing with your nail?