In Amos 7:7-9, we read: “Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. 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.’”
“Can I help, Grandad?”
“Sure, Timmy.” Grandfather held up his hand. “You must follow directions.”
“Why? What’s special about this?"
“This set of plans is for the new garden shed.” Spread on the table, he explained about the foundation, walls, etc. “If we follow them, it’ll be sturdy, solid. And we’re using a plumb line.”
“A plumb line? I love plums especially Grandmother's plum preserves. They’re great!”
“Agreed but this is a different kind of plumb. By using it, I’ll make sure the walls are straight.” He held up the plumb line, the weight dangled at the bottom. “If it lines up from top to bottom, the wall is straight.” Arm around Timmy’s shoulders, he lowered his voice.
“Remember the sand castle we built at the beach last summer?” he chuckled. "We dug a moat, packed the sand in the center to make our castle walls, and--”
“One big wave took it down.” Timmy grinned.
“Exactly. Not what we want for the shed. We'll store our lawnmower and other garden tools in it.” Timmy nodded, looked at the plumb line. “You know, son, God has a plumb line.” He frowned, Grandfather had his attention.
"The Bible teaches us about the laws God put in place to show us when we don’t match up. He sent the prophets to tell us about His love. And you know what?” Timmy shook his head.
“Can I help, Grandad?”
“Sure, Timmy.” Grandfather held up his hand. “You must follow directions.”
“Why? What’s special about this?"
“This set of plans is for the new garden shed.” Spread on the table, he explained about the foundation, walls, etc. “If we follow them, it’ll be sturdy, solid. And we’re using a plumb line.”
“A plumb line? I love plums especially Grandmother's plum preserves. They’re great!”
“Agreed but this is a different kind of plumb. By using it, I’ll make sure the walls are straight.” He held up the plumb line, the weight dangled at the bottom. “If it lines up from top to bottom, the wall is straight.” Arm around Timmy’s shoulders, he lowered his voice.
“Remember the sand castle we built at the beach last summer?” he chuckled. "We dug a moat, packed the sand in the center to make our castle walls, and--”“One big wave took it down.” Timmy grinned.
“Exactly. Not what we want for the shed. We'll store our lawnmower and other garden tools in it.” Timmy nodded, looked at the plumb line. “You know, son, God has a plumb line.” He frowned, Grandfather had his attention.
"The Bible teaches us about the laws God put in place to show us when we don’t match up. He sent the prophets to tell us about His love. And you know what?” Timmy shook his head.
“We still made crooked walls of our lives.” His shoulders dipped.
"So in an outpouring of His love, the Lord Jesus came and gave His life as a sacrifice so we could live. The cross is God’s plumb line and He's the only One who can live a 'plumbed life'”
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord gave the law and the prophets but I couldn't keep the law or love enough. So the Lord Jesus came and showed me the plumb line of Life. He died, rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven. He loves me and promises never to leave nor forsake me. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come?
"So in an outpouring of His love, the Lord Jesus came and gave His life as a sacrifice so we could live. The cross is God’s plumb line and He's the only One who can live a 'plumbed life'”
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord gave the law and the prophets but I couldn't keep the law or love enough. So the Lord Jesus came and showed me the plumb line of Life. He died, rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven. He loves me and promises never to leave nor forsake me. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come?