| Grandfather clocks have always fascinated me. Not only are they beautifully
hand-crafted pieces of furniture, but there is something about their pendulum
that intrigues me. The constant rhythm of it swinging back and forth clicking
off the seconds of the day never ceases to catch my attention. The pendulum’s
swinging motion is sometimes used as an analogy for people or organizations
that swing from one extreme to another. Sadly, it is often a picture of
God’s people. It seems that we swing from one fad to another, one issue
to another, or one ministry philosophy to another. We extend a great amount
of energy trying to limit how far we let the pendulum swing. Our concern
is misplaced. We worry about keeping the pendulum under control, while
God’s concern is making His people “plumb.”
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line... This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. 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... (Isaiah 28:16-17; Amos 7:7-8) [also note: Psalms 118:22; Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6-7] As you can see there are several places where Scripture reveals God placing His people next to the plumb line. Pendulums are about swinging from one thing to another, whereas the plumb line speaks to being true and straight, having a sure foundation. A building must be plumb if it is be strong and steady, able to withstand the elements. If God’s concern is that we are “plumb,” so should ours. For a short time years ago I worked as a mason tender to supplement my pastoral salary. My job was to keep the master mason supplied with everything he needed to do his work. The mason I tended was a elderly saint of God who enjoyed talking while he worked. We’d talk about verses of Scripture, about ministry (he was also a pastor), and about brick or stone masonry. When ever we would begin a new project he would be sure to emphasize the importance of the cornerstone. He took great care in placing that stone (or brick) in place, for that stone established the plumb line for the entire project. If it was out of plumb, the whole project would of plumb. The cornerstone was the plumb line. Though in Isaiah 28:17, righteousness is identified as the plumb line, the plumb line is also linked to the cornerstone. Acts 4 records Peter’s response to the Sanhedrin’s questioning after he and John had healed the lame man at the temple gate. In his response Peter draws upon the Old Testament prophesies about the cornerstone and gives it its identity - Jesus. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:20-21 that as members and people of God’s household we are “built on the foundations of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole body is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” Our righteous, holy plumb line/cornerstone is Jesus. Only as we abide in Him can we be plumb - righteous, true and sure. In Him we are joined together to be His holy temple. Let us be done with pendulum living and consecrate our lives to Christ. Let us be concerned with being “plumb,” building our lives upon the Chief Cornerstone in accordance to His will and way. Let us yield ourselves to God allowing Him to make us wholly holy for Him. Keep Close To Jesus
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