Psalm 120-131

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Scripture

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.
2 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.

Psalm 127:1-2 (ESV)

Observation

Many themes repeat throughout the Psalms. Assurance for the follower of God, praises to God for His might and majesty, crying out to God in trials (obviously, walking in His footsteps does not remove us from the sinful world and the immediate suffering brought on by our own sinful choices).  Even as the Psalmist cries out to God, he reminds us that our focus needs to move beyond this temporal world and rest in the eternal promises of God.

We spend so much time and effort in this world. We compromise our sleep and work long hours to provide for our family and maintain a clean environment in which they can live. Yet, all this work should not happen apart from God.

Application

- Daily surrender my plans to God. He gave me 24 hours to fill today. What does HE want those hours and minutes filled with?

- Don’t exhaust myself in futile efforts (and then usually complain about how busy and tired I am somewhere along the line).

- Chase anxiety out of my life and thoughts. God will build my house, and establish my paths. Each day has enough stress of its own, let God take care of tomorrow (my paraphrase of Matthew 6:34).

Prayer

Lord, Your Word is always just what I need, not always what I want to hear, but always what I need to hear. Help me to wait on You and watch for You, seeking just what You want, and not busying myself with my own agenda.  My work alone is futile. Please, Lord, build my house. Guard it and bless those within its walls. Thank You, Lord, for the precious rest and peace that only You can bring. ~Amen

5intow (Erin)

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