Monday, June 30th, 2008 by Randy

TITLE:
“Being Plumb”

SCRIPTURE:
This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. Amos 7:7 (NIV)

OBSERVATION:
Amos, the prophet, uses a number of analogies to expose Israel’s backslidden condition. In Amos 7:7,8 He pictures the Lord with a plumb line in his hand. Just for clarity, a "plumb line" is a string with a weight on the end. When you hold the string at the top, the weight makes the line hang down straight. Still today we refer to “being plumb" as something level or straight.

So in this vision God is standing with a plumb line by a wall. The plumb is true and level indicating that the wall is straight up and down. God is saying that He always uses an accurate standard to judge his people. He is fair and true. It is not “what seems right” to the person or public opinion. It is God’s truth. Absolute. Unchanging.

APPLICATION:
In a culture of relativity, God reveals his truth in His word. That’s why I need to daily read and learn from the Bible. God wants me to align myself with Him; not with the culture; Not with popular opinion, but with His will! Anything that is not “straight or level” in my life, He wants to correct. Just like a wall that’s out of plumb, my life is unstable without his perspective. How do I measure up to God’s plumb line? What is God wanting to realign in my life? In my relationships? In my priorities? I can’t rely on my own judgments. I must look to Him and His Word. The Psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). May that be true of my life too!

PRAYER:
Father, please take every area of my life and align it with Your will. I want to fully follow you! Forgive me when I’ve relied on my opinions rather than your standards. Help me to be in plumb with your word. AMEN.