THOUGHT: Many people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could. —Anonymous


Do you remember the Edsel? The automobile was launched in 1957-58 at great expense and with high expectations by Ford Motor Company. However, it failed miserably. When the car was first touted as a "new and innovated design," the public flocked to showrooms to see what the excitement was all about. But it didn't take Ford long to figure out that the general public hated not only the design, but everything about it. It just didn't live up to expectations. As sales grew smaller and smaller, the Edsel was discontinued in 1960. Once fancy advertisements and pretty packaging are discarded, a product is put to the test to see if it lives up to its claims. At best, it may be all that it says it is and more. Sometimes, though, it just barely meets minimal standards. At worst, the product does not measure up at all.

During the time of Amos, the prophet is given a vision of God standing in the midst of his people, using a measuring or testing instrument, holding it up against the wall that represents Israel. The purpose was to determine if the nation was walking with integrity as God's people. Israel failed the test. The instrument revealed that there were some flaws. The nation, composed of all types of individuals, just didn't meet God's standards.

I don't know anyone who likes tests, but sometimes an examination is needed in school, on the job or in our personal lives, to show us where we need improvement or help. So the question before us is to address whether or not we are living up to the standards that God has set for us. Are we walking with integrity as his people? If God were to test us today, would we measure up to God's standards?

I pray that the answer is "yes."

—Sharon Fields


PRAYER: Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you (Psalm 26:2-3). Amen.

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