Thursday July 11th, 2019 Amos 7:7-11
And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." (verse 8)
The plumb line vision God gives to Amos to speak as a sermon illustration for the people of Israel is clear and effective. I am not a handyman. However, we all need direction to keep us straight.
My mother taught me at a young age the importance of being physically straight. “Sit up straight at the table,” she instructed. “You will grow up round-shouldered.” Then, in Sunday school and in my faith growth through worship, I learned that being straight and true is descriptive of our relationship with God and others. This was more important than how straight I sat or stood.
I learned from a prophet’s preaching of a straight highway for God (Isaiah 40:3) and from John the Baptist of this straight way (Matthew 3:3) as he prepared people for baptism. God wants us to be straight and true in our minds, hearts and actions. However, we have many temptations to lean toward, and to act in self-seeking and self-serving ways.
Scripture shows us a straight way to walk with God in the light and love of Christ.
God of judgment and mercy, when we are out of kilter, lead us on a straight highway of renewed life in your reign. Amen. — EAM
Contributed by Straighten up
The plumb line vision God gives to Amos to speak as a sermon illustration for the people of Israel is clear and effective. I am not a handyman. However, we all need direction to keep us straight.
My mother taught me at a young age the importance of being physically straight. "Sit up straight at the table," she instructed. "You will grow up round-shouldered." Then, in Sunday school and in my faith growth through worship, I learned that being straight and true is descriptive of our relationship with God and others. This was more important than how straight I sat or stood.
I learned from a prophet's preaching of a straight highway for God (Isaiah 40:3) and from John the Baptist of this straight way (Matthew 3:3) as he prepared people for baptism. God wants us to be straight and true in our minds, hearts and actions. However, we have many temptations to lean toward, and to act in self-seeking and self-serving ways.
Scripture shows us a straight way to walk with God in the light and love of Christ.
