The Plumbline

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) Have you ever needed to take refuge in the midst of a storm? How about in the midst of a huge battle? Growing up in Arizona, monsoon season hits each summer, bringing these huge winds, walls of dust for miles and miles, and some pretty terrifying thunder and lightning to boot. As a wee lass, I would feel the winds picking up, but I would play on because nothing could distract me from my play. Then all of a sudden, the skies would rumble and roar, and that peace I had felt was no more! I'd call out for mom, run quickly to the fence line between my friend's home and ours, standing there waiting. Waiting for what? For those 'rescuing arms' of mom's that would reach over that fence to lift me to safety. As soon as she had me safely over the fence, all was well, for I knew I was going to be 'sheltered' from the worst of the storm and safe in her care. I wonder how many times we

Take no notice of his looks or his height. He is not the one, for the Eternal One does not pay attention to what humans value. Humans only care about the external appearance, but the Eternal considers the inner character. (I Samuel 16:7 VOICE) Quite a few years ago I wrote about one of my favorite songs, "The Warrior is a Child", by Twila Paris.  The song was written not so much because Paris had life all figured out, but because she struggled to figure out life!  Doesn't that sound a great deal like what most of us face each and everyday in our daily walk?  We don't so much struggle with the good stuff, at least not on the surface, but it may very well be the "good stuff" which becomes the tripping point in our lives.  The things which seem to make us "look" like we have life by the tail may not always be the reality of what is going on inside our minds, hearts, and spirits. Sometimes fame, fortune, and good things become the battleground for

3  It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels,    but fools love to pick fights.  (Proverbs 20:3) Ever run across an individual that just seems contrary in all they do?  There is just no pleasing them - they find fault with everything and love to quarrel over the silliest of things.  There is a word for these type of individuals - fools!  Solomon makes it quite plain that a fool loves to pick a fight.  It is a mark of honor (of good character) to avoid a fight.  I am not implying that we actually live in a state of existence where we go through life without ever saying a cross word or entering into constructive debate periodically.  Yet, a man or woman of good character knows that insisting on a quarrel is not a sign of wisdom. It is a good thing to overlook the small things in life.  There is a saying I heard some time ago that has stuck with me:  "Is this the hill you want to die on?"  In other words, is this the "battle" of the will or mind that you w

5-6  It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel. (Proverbs 24:5-6) Strength is often admired in another.  We look at someone who appears to have life all together and we stand in awe.  Deep inside, we are thinking, "I wish I could be like them" - all the while considering just how we'd respond to the events the other person is standing so strong through .  Why do we compare ourselves with others like that?  It is so self-defeating! Our passage today focuses on our development of wisdom, not just the "stamina" to make it through stuff in life.  It is much different to understand the events of the day than it is to just be able to "get through" them!  Our focus is so often on the outward - what we see MUST be reality, right?  The truth is that what we SEE is often what somebody wants to PORTRAY.  It may be a far cry from the reality of w

24  When they had them all there in front of Joshua, he called up the army and told the field commanders who had been with him, "Come here. Put your feet on the necks of these kings."  They stepped up and put their feet on their necks.   25  Joshua told them, "Don't hold back. Don't be timid. Be strong! Be confident! This is what  God  will do to all your enemies when you fight them." (Joshua 10:24-25) Joshua was going up against one army after another as Israel is coming into possession of their promised land - Canaan.  One of the tribes of Israel, Gibeon, was in serious trouble with enemy kings surrounding them.  Not just one army attacking, but five Amorite kings had mustered their military might and had surrounded Gibeon!  Ever feel like Gibeon?  Surrounded on all sides and ready to send up the white flag?   The men of Gibeon send word to Joshua that they are surrounded and require his immediate intervention.  Joshua had been one of the twelve spies

13  Moses spoke to the people: "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch  God  do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you're never going to see them again.    14   God  will fight the battle for you.       And you? You keep your mouths shut!" (Exodus 14:13-14) Battles come our way - not those fought on enemy soil with automatic weapons, tanks, and grenades - but those things that give us "fits" internally (emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes even physically).  We struggle with the outcome because we try to remain in control of the situation instead of turning it over to God.  The battle becomes a burden we "slug" through rather than having the unlimited resources of heaven at our disposal. Moses was given a direct message from God to tell the people - the battle lies ahead - here's what you should do in the midst of the battle!  Most of us don't get some messenger of God sent into our lives,

16-17  And me? I'm singing your prowess, shouting at cockcrow your largesse,    For you've been a safe place for me, a good place to hide.  Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you—God, my dependable love. (Psalm 59:16-17) Understanding the background of this Psalm might help us understand these words even more clearly.  David, as King of Israel, was in heated battle with the Edomites in the Valley of Salt.  The Edomites were descendants of Esau, one of the sons of Jacob.  Esau is probably best known as the son who sold his birthright for a pot of stew (Genesis 25).  As the firstborn of Jacob, he had the full right to the inheritance of his father (a double portion).  In a time of weakness, hungry and weary, he "sold out" to his twin brother.   Esau's family became a band of nomadic raiders settling in the region just south of the Dead Sea - the land that Israel would realistically pass through on their way to Canaan as they existed Egy