Bible Reading: 2 Kings 16; Titus 2; Hosea 9; Psalm 126-128
Psalms 127:1-2 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
What a fitting Psalm for the man used by God to build the temple for the worship of Jehovah! Here we learn the vanity of labor apart from the Lord’s leadership. How many men are building their kingdoms here on earth? How many businesses are monuments to men? They look at their accomplishments and say, “Look what I did…” However the Bible says that unless God builds your house all your labor is in vain. What does this mean?
It means that with God’s leadership a lasting household will be established. A man apart from God will build based upon the blue print he has seen somewhere else or upon the one he imagines in his head. This blue print will surely bring glory to the man himself. When the Lord builds the house the man is truly a recipient. God gives the plan and vision for life from the Word of God. The house that God builds will be something that is eternal and not temporal. An eternal house has the focus on relationships and righteousness rather than on bricks and mortar.
If God is not keeping watch over the city, the men who do watch are doing their work in vain. There is no protection apart from God’s watching eye. How many have labored to the point of exhaustion rising early and staying late to build a kingdom? And the Bible tells us to pray:
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Whose kingdom are you building? Do you lie down and sleep at night because you trust the Lord with your future? Or do you stay up late working and worrying about how to make all your plans come about? This Psalm reminds us to allow God to build the house and protect your family. He is the Provider and the Protector and we must trust him! Jesus said:
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Jesus said this in the context of saying that the Gentiles seek after food, clothing, houses and lands. The follower of Jesus knows that God provides so we must seek his kingdom and his righteousness.
The house the Lord builds will be much better than the one you or I could build!
In Christ,
Rody
