Staying STRONG

We hear a lot these days about staying STRONG. It is a phrase used in times of deep distress, especially to a community, a city, a group of people. A phrase of encouragement at a time where things seem to be falling apart.

a bit of History

A general contractor friend’s company was named PLUMBLINE. It is a perfect name for a construction company. It references the importance of things being straight. He helped me build a house that remains straight, plumb.

A plumb line or plumb-bob is said to have been invented by the Egyptians more than 4000 years ago. They used it to establish vertical references that were indispensable in the construction of their buildings, pyramids and canals.

The Holy Bible has a reference to a plumb line. In Israel during the long reign of Jeroboam II 793-739 B.C. the prophet Amos lived in the time of material prosperity. He received five visions from God and the third was one of future judgement that would occur because God’s chosen people had turned away from honoring him as their God.

As reported in the Bible Knowledge Commentary, edited by Walvoord and Zuck we observe “the testing plumb line” as follows: “For the third time the prophet was shown a vision of judgement. This time the sentence was unalterable. In Amos 7:7-8 the LORD held in his hand a plumb line. A plumb line was a cord with a lead weight used by builders to make sure the walls were constructed straight up and down. A plumb line was also used to test the walls to see whether they had settled and tilted, needing to be torn down. God was setting a plumb line (possibly the covenant Law and its requirements) among His people Israel. The nation had been built ‘true to plumb,’ but now was out of line and needed to be torn down”.

“This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, ‘Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass by them; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.’”  Amos 7:7-9
​
So you ask why is this important? In chapters 3-6 Amos documented the reasons for God’s judgement against Israel. There was legal injustice, economic exploitation, religious hypocrisy, luxurious indulgence, and boastful complacency. These were violations of the covenant they had with God.

I see some of the same characteristics in our society and world today. For 15 years the post WWII America when I grew up was absolutely great. But things have changed. Is there now “legal injustice, economic exploitation, religious hypocrisy, luxurious indulgence, and boastful complacency?”
​
Is there no turning back before disaster? I don’t know, but I have often said, “we have lived in the best of times!”

a bit about TODAY

On to something more current that consumes us every minute of every day in 2020 America where I live; actually Riverside County East of Los Angeles and things are terrible.

COVID-19 pandemic is a global tragedy of huge proportions. Our ministry in April of this year realized the impact the virus was having on everyone we know, love . . . and ministries we support in a variety of ways. One is financial and the reserve fund we set up 10 years ago had never been touched. God led us to set aside money for such a time as this. We sent undesignated money to five ministries we support. The response was overwhelming. They used the money to provide food to those on their staff or those in the realm of their ministry outreach.

It was the right thing to do and we are blessed to have been prepared to help at such a time as this. Yet there is much more to do.​

Recently I heard Robert Woodson Sr. say, "in America we, spontaneously respond to need!” I like that and I see it all around me these days as people respond to those truly in need. 

You can help ~ Donate today

Send Check to RPFFG P.O.Box 113 Banning CA 92220