SCRIPTURE: Psalm 127
Unless the Lord builds… the builders labor in vain… (Psalm 127:1)
What is my house or city falls, if I don’t have kids, or can’t sleep?
Does this mean God is not for me, God is not blessing me?
Or if my church is not growing, is it because God is not building with us?
For me this Psalm is not a judgment psalm, but an encouragement psalm.
It’s clear message is: trust in Me, rely on Me, and your plans will not be in vain.
You cannot do life on your own, you need my spiritual presence and support.
I have tried planning, scheming and building the church in my own strength.
I can relate to the ‘in vain part’, working hard yet stressed and sleepless.
“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
The ‘growth’ and ‘success’ of our efforts is not in our hands, but in God’s hands.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, my job is to do what is right and good, but the results are up to You. I know because You are with me, my labour is not in vain, even if I don’t see the results.
Observation/Application
The upward look.
As we are setting up a new base – a home base – we are directed to look up to God and to depend upon Him in all things. On Him I must depend. I must walk with my risen Saviour every day in every way. I need to keep my eye upon Jesus.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
3
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!