For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Cor. 5:21

It all began a few weeks ago when I was studying for Genesis 40. As I contemplated Joseph’s being in prison and the agony it must have been as God “hammered out” the formation He desired him to be for his calling, a song came into my mind that I had not listened to for several years. It is a song from Bebo Norman called, The Hammer Holds. It is a song I have listened to maybe hundreds of times and have often thought about the lyrics in terms of God’s guiding us through the crucible of hammer and fire as He molds us into the image of He desires us to be. That is why the song came to my mind as I studied Joseph, it is a song that has always inspired encouragement and hope to me in the midst of trial and tribulation on the level of James 1:2-4.   

However, as I revisited the song again, I saw something that should have been obvious if I had taken the time to really contemplate the lyrics. It is a song told from the point of view of a piece of steel that is molded to become one of the nails used to crucify Jesus. How incredibly creative and fascinating this is!

As I was searching for anything Bebo had said about his song, I came across a blogger, rittywrites, who wrote the following in response to the lyrics which I thought were very much worth sharing with you as you contemplate Holy Week:  

Like the piece of steel, we are shapeless and in need of "Thee" Blacksmith to give us our ultimate form and final shape.

Like the piece of steel, we need others to pray, cry, and hurt with us and for us, until we have reached our journeys end. 

Like the piece of steel, we constantly search for the purpose and meaning in our lives.

Like the piece of steel, our sins are what held and even nailed Christ to that cross. 

Like the piece of steel, the task before us may seem unclear, but even that, our Maker holds.

 Now, I hope you too will listen to the song and read the lyrics below that you may be encouraged in the sometimes painful work God is doing in your life to make you into the image of His Son.  

Peace of Christ,

Patrick

The Hammer Holds - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vp1HCWKl6w)

A shapeless piece of steel, that's all I claim to be. This hammer pounds to give me form, this flame, it melts my dreams. I glow with fire and fury, as I'm twisted like a vine. My final shape, my final form I'm sure I'm bound to find.

CH - So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain. And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames. And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold. But my dreams are not the issue here, for thee, the hammer holds.

And the water, it cools me gray, and the hurt's subdued somehow. I have my shape, this sharpened point, what is my purpose now? And the question still remains, what am I to be? Perhaps some perfect piece of art displayed for all to see. (CH)

The hammer pounds again, but flames I do not feel. This force that drives me, helplessly, through flesh, and wood reveals. A burn that burns much deeper, it's more than I can stand. The reason for my life was to take the life of a guiltless man.

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain. And cry a little, cry for me, so I can bear the pain. And hurt a little, hurt for me, my future is so bold. But my dreams are not the issue here, for thee, the hammer holds.

This task before me may seem unclear but it, my maker holds.