Measurements

Today, we’re talking about something we deal with every day but don’t always think about—measurements! From measuring cups in the kitchen to the time on the clock, measurements help us understand the world around us. But have you ever thought about how God measures things?

The Bible is full of measurements—cubits, talents, generations—but God’s way of measuring is often different from ours. While we measure success by achievements, God measures by faithfulness. While we count the years, He looks at the heart.

I remember baking cookies once and totally misreading the recipe. I used way too much butter, and all the cookies spread and burnt to the pan. It was a good reminder of how important the right measurements are. In life, getting the right measurements—especially by God’s standards—makes all the difference.

Stick with me as we explore how God’s measurements work—and maybe we’ll all learn to measure things a little differently!

There are actually a lot of unusual Bible measurements like cubits, shekels, and talents. As I’ve read the Old Testament, I noticed all the measurements were written out so precisely.

For example, Noah’s Ark was about 450 feet long—God gave exact specifications! Another is the Temple of Solomon, measured down to the finest detail.

Here’s a question for you: How tall was Goliath? (Answer: About 9 feet, 9 inches!) Again, precise. Why is that? Because God knows every detail and will share it with us when necessary.

What’s a measurement in the Bible that has always fascinated you? For me, it’s the Ark of the Covenant. There is so much detail given, and I’m amazed every time I read it.

We know that God measures people differently than we do.

In 1 Samuel 16:7, it says that while people measure outward success, God looks at the heart.

There’s also a story in Mark 12:41-44 about the widow’s two small coins being worth more to Jesus than the large offerings of the rich. Others thought differently, but God saw her heart behind the gift.

And lastly, Matthew 17:20 teaches us that faithfulness matters more than size—think about mustard seed faith.

If God measured us by any other way than His way, like by how many social media likes we had, I think I’d be in big trouble for sure! We all see things differently, including how we think we measure up. How do you think God measures success in your life?

We measure time in hours, minutes, and days, but God isn’t bound by time (2 Peter 3:8). That is hard for us to grasp because our lives are surrounded by time and schedules.

People in the Bible often waited a long time for God to fulfill His promises: Abraham for a son, Joseph in prison, Israel in the desert. Trusting God’s timing can be hard, but it’s always perfect.

My kids have cooked ramen in the microwave without water before. Let’s just say… lunch was ruined, and so was my microwave! When we’re in a hurry, we can miss out on the full promise and gift the Lord will give us. We can miss tasting and seeing the blessing of the Lord.

How have you seen God’s perfect timing in your life?

Measurements aren’t just about numbers; they tell a story. Think about it—every number we use in life has meaning: your height, your weight, whatever else you can think of. But have you ever thought about how spiritual measurements work?

We can often measure up in the wrong way—or so we think. Just like many of you, over the years I have compared myself to someone else and felt like I didn’t measure up. My qualities are different, they are mine, and I know that, but still, I compare myself and think I should be something I’m not.

We often compare ourselves by how we look, our successes, and what skills we possess. But God never measures us against others—only against His purpose for us.

Have you ever felt like you didn’t measure up, only to realize God saw you differently? Me? All the time.

We need to learn to weigh our words.

Proverbs 18:21 tells us that our words carry the weight of life and death. This is so true. How we speak to ourselves really molds us so deeply.

Do we measure our words carefully or just let them fly? Honestly, both. Encouraging words outweigh criticism in God’s measurement system. It is hard to unlearn what you know and then to relearn what God teaches. It will be a daily thing, but it is an important step for us to start to grasp what God says about us. It’s important for us to know that we are chosen children of God.

I once said something I thought was funny… turns out, not so funny! Have you ever had foot-in-mouth syndrome? It’s not a comfortable place to be.

Our words affect many and so much, so we have to make sure we are discerning when we speak to ourselves and others.

How can you be more intentional about your words this week?

Something freely given and that cannot be measured is God’s grace and love.

Ephesians 3:18 talks about the width, length, height, and depth of God’s love. We even play a song here at KJIC by Ellie Holcomb called "Wide, High, Long, Deep" that talks about this. It’s a really good song.

What a great reminder for us to know that unlike earthly things, God’s grace and love can’t be measured. No matter how much we fail, His love is always enough. So, remember when you feel like you’re running out of grace—God’s supply is unlimited.

When was a time you felt God’s limitless grace in your life?

Let’s talk about measuring growth in faith.

We often measure spiritual growth by big moments, but God sees the small steps. Think about Peter: he failed a few times in big ways, but he still grew strong in faith. Little acts of obedience add up in God’s eyes.

Don’t underestimate the power of small, consistent faithfulness. It’s like starting to work out; we want to see big changes after the first day, but every day we continue, there are small changes. Eventually, when we look back, we notice that all those small steps led to something big.

What’s one small step you can take in your faith this week?

The world will always tell you to do more, be more, achieve more—but God says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). This means keeping our focus on Him and understanding who we are in Christ.

If you’ve been feeling like you don’t measure up, take heart. You are not alone in that thought, but even better, know that God’s grace covers you, and His measurements are different from the world’s.

So, as you go about your day measuring ingredients, time, or tasks, remember—God’s greatest measurement is love, and you are already enough in His eyes.

Measure life by God’s standards.