Unless the Lord Builds the House
Solomon was given everything. Wealth. Position. Power. Favor. Wisdom. In a particularly insightful (inspired) moment, he wrote Psalm 127, a song of ascents, sung by the Jews as they approached Jerusalem on pilgrimage. In the Psalm, Solomon says: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”
A king who had all resources and influence at his disposal—but was still clear that God is the One who initiates, authors, builds, perfects. God’s purposes are the ones that prevail.
Solomon went on to say: “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.” Solomon is not saying that work has no value, but that workaholism, obsessive toil, does not serve a good purpose. One interpretation is that this verse means that God will provide and care for our needs while we sleep. His efforts are the ones that determine the outcomes, so we can rest easy.
In the end, Solomon lost track of these concepts and wandered from God to other false gods and idol worship. But, in this particular moment, he had a correct orientation to Who is Author and Perfecter and who is not.
· What have you been given to use in your workplace, family, community, church?
· Do you sometimes lose track of Who gave you these things and placed you in these places?
· How can you remind yourself this week of the fact that your efforts need to be rooted in the trust that the Lord is the One who calls, purposes, gifts, and builds?
For more on this, explore GodGiftsYou.com.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You.: Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and law enforcement leadership for over 30 years. She has been EquipConnectServe Ministry Director at a 1,200 member church since 1999. Contact Shirley.
Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.