For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a nail.
This little rhyme which some have dated back as early as the 14th century, was often used to teach children that actions have consequences, and that carelessness has the power to produce unwanted results. To put it another way, little things matter – often in big ways.
In the Army much of our terminology refers to “the war.” We sing about it in our battle songs, talk about it in our testimonies, and include references to it in many of our covenants and ceremonies. But I wonder…do we really take this war seriously, or do we tend to see it as “Army-speak,” or symbolic saber-rattling and fist-shaking in the enemy’s direction (nothing for him to really get worked up over)?
If we do take it seriously (and I think scriptures like 2 Cor 10:3-5 / Eph 6:10-17 / 1 Thess 5:8, and others, make a pretty strong case that we should), then I’m having a problem coming to grips with the lack of attention of so many to the importance of spiritual battle at the “nail” level.
What am I talking about? What is the “nail” in this spiritual battle? I think it has to be the issue of personal prayer and soul care.
In every case that I can think of, when one of our fellow warriors falls to immorality, playing with finances, lying, no power in the pulpit, loss of passion, loss of mission focus, not being moved by human suffering, lack of soul fire, and a long list of other battles, you can backtrack the events and steps that have led to the defeat to this most basic of “nail” issues:
● In speaking with an officer couple about to divorce: Tell me about your prayer life… They had stopped long ago.
● Talking with the soldier caught up with internet porn: How have you been caring for your soul? His head hung down in shame.
● The officer who had lost the “wow and wonder” of his calling: Describe your devotional life to me… No answer, just a look that said it all.
● Speaking with a cadet who wonders why they’re not as passionate as others around them: Are you having your quiet time? A long, drawn out explanation came back about how their schedule is too busy to be regular in prayer, so it’s pretty much hit-or-miss.
If looked at from the spiritual perspective, we might modify the opening lines to something like this:
For the want of fervent prayer, the contact with Christ was lost.
For the want of contact with Christ, the passion was lost.
For the want of passion, the power was lost.
For the want of power, the victory was lost.
For the want of victory, the soul was lost.
All for the want of prayer.
This little, seemingly insignificant neglect is nothing less than HUGE! Why? Because it unlocks the door that can lead to the larger defeat.
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To the soldier who would be a real spiritual warrior, the person who would win victory after victory for the Lord, the person who would be feared by all of hell, this is the first and most important battle to fight and win! Let’s hit our knees and fight like we mean it! The result of so many other fights that we become involved in is often determined long before by what does or doesn’t happen in the prayer closet.
So tell me…how’re things with your soul?
Keep your altar ready and your fire hot...!
Willis
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a nail.
This little rhyme which some have dated back as early as the 14th century, was often used to teach children that actions have consequences, and that carelessness has the power to produce unwanted results. To put it another way, little things matter – often in big ways.
In the Army much of our terminology refers to “the war.” We sing about it in our battle songs, talk about it in our testimonies, and include references to it in many of our covenants and ceremonies. But I wonder…do we really take this war seriously, or do we tend to see it as “Army-speak,” or symbolic saber-rattling and fist-shaking in the enemy’s direction (nothing for him to really get worked up over)?
If we do take it seriously (and I think scriptures like 2 Cor 10:3-5 / Eph 6:10-17 / 1 Thess 5:8, and others, make a pretty strong case that we should), then I’m having a problem coming to grips with the lack of attention of so many to the importance of spiritual battle at the “nail” level.
What am I talking about? What is the “nail” in this spiritual battle? I think it has to be the issue of personal prayer and soul care.
In every case that I can think of, when one of our fellow warriors falls to immorality, playing with finances, lying, no power in the pulpit, loss of passion, loss of mission focus, not being moved by human suffering, lack of soul fire, and a long list of other battles, you can backtrack the events and steps that have led to the defeat to this most basic of “nail” issues:
● In speaking with an officer couple about to divorce: Tell me about your prayer life… They had stopped long ago.
● Talking with the soldier caught up with internet porn: How have you been caring for your soul? His head hung down in shame.
● The officer who had lost the “wow and wonder” of his calling: Describe your devotional life to me… No answer, just a look that said it all.
● Speaking with a cadet who wonders why they’re not as passionate as others around them: Are you having your quiet time? A long, drawn out explanation came back about how their schedule is too busy to be regular in prayer, so it’s pretty much hit-or-miss.
If looked at from the spiritual perspective, we might modify the opening lines to something like this:
For the want of fervent prayer, the contact with Christ was lost.
For the want of contact with Christ, the passion was lost.
For the want of passion, the power was lost.
For the want of power, the victory was lost.
For the want of victory, the soul was lost.
All for the want of prayer.
This little, seemingly insignificant neglect is nothing less than HUGE! Why? Because it unlocks the door that can lead to the larger defeat.
.jpg)
To the soldier who would be a real spiritual warrior, the person who would win victory after victory for the Lord, the person who would be feared by all of hell, this is the first and most important battle to fight and win! Let’s hit our knees and fight like we mean it! The result of so many other fights that we become involved in is often determined long before by what does or doesn’t happen in the prayer closet.So tell me…how’re things with your soul?
Keep your altar ready and your fire hot...!
Willis
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It is because we preceive prayer as intangible that we think we can get away with not having it as a necessity. We wouldn't talk with someone if we hadn't brushed our teeth after a night's sleep - disgusting, right? But we 'go without brushing,' in a sense, all the time when we neglect the obvious. But if we think of prayer as tangible then perhaps it wouldn't float away like it does from our daily connection to the God who listens for our voice .... as tangible as the nails that pierced His hands, so is the tangible evidence of His close love and companionship, walking in holiness....
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