The Plumb Line

And the Lord said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said:
"Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.”

Plumb lines are used to insure something is straight. If it is not, it will be weak and crumble. God was saying to Amos that He was the plumb line among His people but their ways had become so wretched and the evil so prevalent in the land, He had to destroy them because they were not in line with His commands.

When the Lord shows us that we are far from where He wants us to be, don’t run from Him or justify it. Confess it and tell Him your heart is willing to get back in line with His Word. God is the Master Builder and He will reposition you. Be willing to admit your sins before Him instead of hardening your heart. Refusing to change or obey or justifying your sin will keep you far from God’s plumb line.

Are we really any different than God’s people of the Old Testament? I think it’s safe to say that many Christians are either committing adultery, stealing, lying, cheating, gossiping, hating, and speaking out negative thoughts against our own Brothers and Sisters. There comes a time when God’s patience runs short and the process of reconciliation has to begin. I went through it and it is a painful place to be and believe me, that’s putting it lightly.

Be faithful to your wife, your husband, your Brothers and Sisters and most of all to Jesus. Jesus is our Plumb Line. If we are true to Him, everything else we do will be in line according to God’s Will.

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.' " (Mark 1:3)

“Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." (Luke 3:5-6)

© Cheryl Taul
January 25, 2008