Psalm 127:1-5

 

November 19, 2022

 

Unless the Lord Builds the House

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil, for he gives to his beloved sleep.  

 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!  He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

 

Often the word picture in the Scriptures can make one who does not have or depend on the Holy Spirit to guide them come up with the wrong concept.   “Unless the Lord builds the house,” envision God with a hammer and nails, building the house, but that is not what is being said.  For most of us, a house; we are going to live in and raise a family is a great endeavor.  The Psalmist explains that in any endeavor, regardless of its cost or size, the key to success is God’s involvement.  My son-in-law and daughter, never get in the car for a trip without asking the Lord to protect them and bless their trip.  Jan and I and the grandson do likewise,  It comes from an understanding that God’s absolute sovereignty over every person and endeavor.  The same is true with your investments, are you making eternal investments in your family and the people you love or just building more wealth, that has no eternal value unless it is of no value to the eternal unless we understand, that it all comes from the Lord, and He will give you the guldens needed to manage it.  It is the Lord that gives success, and when we try to do it without Him it is in vain.

 

Unless the Lord the Lord watches over a Nation, its army and military are in vain.  So let me ask this question; Why would God watch over a nation that has told him to stay out of its school, its government, and the business world?  A nation and a people that would do so have no understanding of God’s absolute sovereignty, All we have to do is look at the nation of Israel in the Bible to see God withdrawing His hand of protection from them.

 

Many people act as if the success of their careers and business life deepens on them, so they work longer hours and forget that their children and family are being ignored.  God has stated it is in vain to rise early and go to bed late if your source is self.  Being a parent and married both take an investment, of time and resources.  It also requires one to understand that parenting is not about being the child's source but to train them in righteous living and being grateful for all the blessings God has given them.  One of the greatest needs of our time and nation is for parents to train their children on the values of work, the blessing of doing a job right, and looking to God as your source.

 

I believe we do not have bad children we have people who do not understand, how to parent.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice