The Plumbline

Psalm 119:97-104 (The Message) "Oh, how I love all you've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long. Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete. I've even become smarter than my teachers since I've pondered and absorbed your counsel. I've become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me. I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word. I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions. Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. With your instruction, I understand life; that's why I hate false propaganda." Anyone want an edge over their enemies? Well, David gives us some “clues” as to how we get that edge. He has learned to take what he has discovered in the Word of God and use it to his advantage. Perhaps he uses it to give an answer to his enemy’s accusations, or maybe he uses it ...

Psalm 119:89-96 (The Message)  "What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.  Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that's what you ordered—you set the earth going.  If your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came.  But I'll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words.  Save me! I'm all yours.  I look high and low for your words of wisdom.  The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I'm only concerned with your plans for me.  I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain your commands!" Dependability is an attribute of character that most would find appealing and something that causes you to rely on the person that exhibits that attribute. When David is stating that God’s word is dependable, he is emphasizing the assurance he has th...

Psalm 119:81-88  (The Message)  "I'm homesick—longing for your salvation; I'm waiting for your word of hope.  My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of your promise; how long must I wait for your comfort?  There's smoke in my eyes—they burn and water, but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post.  How long do I have to put up with all this?  How long till you haul my tormentors into court?  The arrogant godless try to throw me off track, ignorant as they are of God and his ways.  Everything you command is a sure thing, but they harass me with lies. Help! They've pushed and pushed—they never let up—but I haven't relaxed my grip on your counsel.  In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word." I remember a particularly bad case of homesickness that I experienced about the fourth day of Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. I had been assigned “latrine duty” (the cleaning of the enormous bathroom...

Psalm 119:73-80 (NLT)  "You made me; you created me.  Now give me the sense to follow your commands.  May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.  I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it.  Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.  Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.  Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.  Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws.  May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed." Our passage today deals with the heart of a seeker - David comes to God over and over in this Psalm, asking God for a greater revelation of who God is.  In the passage before us, David acknowledges tha...

Isaiah 55:6-7  (The Message) "Seek God while he's here to be found, pray to him while he's close at hand.  Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking.  Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness." Zephaniah 2:3  (The Message) "Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people who live by God's justice.  Seek God's right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life." Scripture bears many accounts of a much familiar command to seek God - seeking with an intensity that guarantees that we will find him if we seek him with all our heart.  If we each should be seeking God, exactly how do we seek God?  With what attitude of heart?  What does seeking "look" like?  Those who know me think that I am a pretty "intense" person - focused, determined, and committed are words often used to describe me.  In that intensity, there is a deep desire to go in search of al...

Psalm 119:65-72 (The Message) "Be good to your servant, GOD; be as good as your Word. Train me in good common sense; I'm thoroughly committed to living our way. Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place, but now I'm in step with your Word. You are good and the source of good, train me in our goodness. The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what you are saying. They're bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of your revelation. My troubles turned out all for the best - they forced me to learn from your textbook. Truth from your mouth means more to me than striking it rich in a gold mine." Ever known anyone who had all the "book learning" (really knew their stuff) - kind of a genius or expert in their field of study - but lacking in even the least little bit of common sense? It is amazing to me how many times we can fall prey to "knowing" all the right things to do, the right words to sp...

Psalm 34:1-10; 19-20 (The Message) "I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. I live and breathe GOD; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. GOD met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. When I was desperate, I called out, and GOD got me out of a tight spot. GOD's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good GOD is. Blessed are you who run to him. Worship GOD if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but GOD-seekers are full of GOD...Disciples so often get into trouble; still, GOD is there every time. He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken." I am deviating a little this morning from Psal...