Thursday, August 19, 2021

PLUMBLINES AND SANDCASTLES!

“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.’” Amos 7:7-9. (NKJV).



“Can I help, Grandad?”

“Sure, Timmy.” Grandfather held up his hand. “You must follow directions.”

“Why?"

“See this set of plans 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." 

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 sandcastle 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.

“Not what we want for the shed. We'll store our lawnmower and other garden tools in it.” Timmy nodded, examined the plumb line. “You know, son, God has a plumb line.” Timmy's head snapped up. 

"The Bible teaches us the laws God put into 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 make crooked walls of our lives.” His shoulders slumped.

"Because He loves us, 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'”

"For me, too?" 

"Absolutely. When you ask Him into your life, He comes and never leaves." Timmy smiled.

Kingdom Thinking. The Lord gave the law and the prophets but I messed up. So the Lord Jesus came to live His plumbed life through me. He loves me and promises never to leave nor forsake me. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come?