The Plumbline

Moments will come when we are faced with things that just seem a bit too frightening for us - times when we don't really want to move forward despite the fact we know we need to do so. The moment we are faced with the need to move, we kind of see all the many things that bring us fear and anxiety, then we want nothing more than to either shut down or run away. In Old Testament times, there was a region known as Kadesh-Barnea - an Amorite occupied territory. They occupied a pretty strategically protected hill country region and were often described in historical writings as a "people of great stature". In other words, they were tall - handsome men and beautiful women. They occupied the territory where we'd consider Jerusalem to be today and the regions around that area (Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine). Forty years before, Israel had been presented this land and were so intimidated by the size of these nomadic dwellers that ten of the twelve spies said there was no w...

Ever hear someone boast about how good they are? They go on and on about how they rise above the rest, or perhaps this 'great feat' after that 'great feat' is highlighted in great detail, all the while 'showing themselves off' to whoever will listen. The idea is that they want others to know just how 'good' they are - but in truth, those who brag much about their accomplished tasks are those who are actually pretty insecure. There is a great deal of freedom that comes when we admit we are errant in our pursuits, not really sure of where to go next, and our propensity to listen to the wrong voices in life. This is the beginning of recognizing we need a Savior! If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve ...