Can you image if your builder decided that 10 inches would now be a foot? What if the aeronautical engineer that designed the plane you are flying on used his own values to measure the stress on the wings?

Have you ever built something and thought it looked right, but it wasn’t? How did you know it was not level, straight or the right length? There is only one tried & true way. You use a standard measurement. It could be a tape measure, level, measuring cup or a plumb line. What makes a standard measurement work is that they are the same everywhere, for everyone and they never change. Feelings, opinions & conditions have no effect on a standard. It is what it is.

I love to watch our son-in-law use his tools to repair and build things. Everything he does is measured, squared, leveled…it’s precise. He uses his measuring tools because they work every time. He knows that unmeasured work will fail and require additional time and expense.

God used the term “plumb line” to describe His unchanging measurement, His Word. The plumb line does not care what anyone thinks or feels. It reveals what is and what is not straight. Situations or conditions have no effect. “And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.” Isaiah 28:17. 

A phrase used in the construction business is, measure twice, cut one.” What Pastor Parker Loy said gave us a life strategy… “Always check your feelings against God’s Word (Bible)… He will never disagree with His Word.”

God sent many prophets to His people, pleading for them to turn from their wicked ways before it was too late. “And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos? ” “A plumb line, ” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.” Amos 7:8.

What do you measure your thoughts, words, and actions against? Do you use the world’s ever-changing standards? Do you find “trying” to please people only leaves you anxious & empty?

If you are ready for a change, Good News. God is right where you are. Talk to Him. He’s ready to build a relationship with you. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

The next step is to get into God’s Word. It’s a fascinating story of God’s love for people. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16-17 God knew we could never measure up so He sent His Son to make us right.

Bible Study Fellowship is a global Bible study that has touched and shaped how I read and study His Word. If you want to know more contact me at robert@wdi-inc.com.