January 30 - Good Measure
January 30
Good Measure
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 30:11-20
11“For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 12It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. 15“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 19I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
A THERMOMETER
A tape measure
A yardstick
A speedometer
A pressure gauge
God
What do the above have in common? They're all standards of measurement.
"Wait a minute," you may respond. "What's God doing on the list?"
Well, like a thermometer or a yardstick or a pressure gauge, God Himself is a standard of measurement. If you want to measure distance, you might use a yardstick. If you want to measure the speed your car is going, you might use a speedometer. And if you want to measure the rightness or wrongness of an attitude or action, you measure it against God's values.
Is something wrong or right? Compare it to God.
Is it OK to lie as long as you're not hurting anybody? Compare it to God. He says, "Do not lie" (Leviticus 19:11) because He values truth. He values truth because He is truth itself (John 14:6).
Is it right to hate somebody who has hurt you? Compare it to God. He says, "Love each other" (John 13:34) because He values love. He values love because He is love (1 John 4:8, 16).
Is it right to hold grudges? Is it right to keep something that doesn't belong to you? Is it right to give in to your passion or temper? Is it right to make fun of other people? Is it right to treat someone unfairly? Compare it to God. He is the standard for measuring right and wrong.
REFLECT: Unfortunately, many people try to measure right and wrong according to their feelings, their desires, what their friends say, what their parents say, or what their communities or cultures tolerate. What standard have you been using to figure out what's right or wrong? Your feelings? Your desires? What your friends say? Something else?
ACT: Place a tape measure, thermometer, or some other instrument of measurement in your pocket or on your desk or dresser today to remind you to measure your actions against God, the only true standard for measuring right and wrong.
PRAY: "God, I really appreciate having Your Word to help me know what You value. You're the best standard of measurement there is."