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...