THE LORD’S PLUMB LINE         

I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line. (Isaiah 28:17)

In the world of construction, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians often use a plumb line to make sure their work is straight. It is difficult to determine with the naked eye what is a truly vertical line, so a simple measuring tool—the plumb line—is employed throughout the construction process to ensure that the work will not be out of line or “crooked.”

The term plumb line is used in a variety of contexts throughout Scripture. In Amos 7:7-8, the Lord told the prophet that He was setting a plumb line of judgment among His people to end their attempts to justify their crooked and godless ways. But for today’s word of encouragement, let’s look at the term with the positive anticipation of knowing that when Jesus returns and consummates His kingdom, there will no longer be anything out of line or crooked in the sight of our Lord . . . and that includes you and me.

It is difficult for us to imagine the perfection of the coming kingdom of God when we live in such an imperfect world. Everything in the world is today is crooked—stained and distorted by sin. But our Lord has promised a day when crookedness will be no more. When Jesus returns, He will put every enemy under His feet and there will be no more sin, Satan, and death. All that is crooked will be made straight forever.

The Lord’s plumb line is His Moral Law; and because the Lord never changes, the Moral Law never changes. We don’t have to wonder what our Lord expects of us today or tomorrow. When we align our lives with the Word of God, we can know for certain that our lives are built upon a true and solid foundation, not a crumbling, crooked one. This is the mark of the mature Christian: he lives according to the Lord’s plumb line, rather than his own. And when he stumbles and falls “out of plumb”—when he misses the mark and sins—he knows that he only needs to confess his sins to the Lord, who is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

So . . . are you living according to the Lord’s plumb line today? Is there any place in your life that feels a little crooked—a little out of line? What changes do you need to make? What will it cost you if you don’t? Let me encourage you today to keep Jesus first and foremost in your life, and He will make your paths straight.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN