We were born to discover and to build, you and I, for the others who will come after us. They will live in a richer, sweeter land, but we will have made the trails.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Man From the Broken Hills)
“But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.”
–1 Samuel 2:35 (NASB)
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Psalm 127 seems to have two parts to this short psalm. The first speaks of a house, a nation, an individual, the second with the family. Let me relate what George Wood says in regard to this psalm. “We are midway on the climb up to Jerusalem. Your geographical location today may be different from the Psalmist’s; but if you have been journeying upward for some time out of a deep personal valley, you may just want to lie down and quit. You’ve gone too far to turn around and go back, but you don’t think you have the stamina to make it the rest of the way. You won’t survive unless help comes from outside yourself.”
1 — Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 — It is vain for you to rise up early, sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.
3 — Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 — Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
5 — Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate. (NKJV)
Look at your life, your family. Has the Lord built it, or have you endeavored to use cheaper material–yourself. It is vital that we all seek to build a life and a family of value. It is also important that we are sensitive to the dangers that may be lurking nearby or that may be in the near or distant future–in other words, remain alert. Read over this psalm again and note how it shows the priorities and practices of the family that is forged by faith.
Blessings of the home are gifts from God and they take work to nurture and develop. A strong family, established in the Lord with godly principles is a great aid to the growth of the kingdom of God. A home should/must be built upon the Word of God. Matthew Henry wrote, “Where we have a tent, God must have an altar.” Where there is a home, there must be the instruction from the Word of God. A godly home and successful work cannot occur apart from the Lord’s blessing. A home without God, is vain (empty, useless, meaningless, futile).
God is also the divine protector of the home/city. Unless the home is under His care the enemy will come in to destroy. To strive hard without God in the center of one’s life is again in vain. When we trust in the Lord, keep things in balance, strive to work hard, we will have the ability to lie down at night in peaceful rest. “God gives inner tranquility and contentment to the person who works in humble obedience to Him.” (Steven Lawson)
This psalm, according to Wood, provides three vital truths about God’s personal care: 1) He builds your life, 2) He watches over you, 3) He provides for you. Everything does not depend upon us; we need to depend and trust upon the Lord. It is vital that the children living under the parent’s care are shaped and that their lives are directed in the ways of God. The parents must provide a godly influence. Arrows must be made and shaped. They must be straight or they will go off course when they are shot into the world. The feathers must be just right. In other words, it takes time and effort to make an arrow, just as it does a life. Lawson says that, “This involves biblical instruction, moral correction, firm discipline, and loving affirmation.” One other word regarding arrows–they must be shot at a target not just fired up into the air. Children must be ready to meet the world, and finally, the arrow must be released. So many times it is not the child that has tied themselves to the apron strings (though more and more we see this) but it is the parents that hold onto the “arrow.”
“O happy home, where Thou art not forgotten,
When joy is overflowing full and free;
O happy home, where every wounded spirit
Is brought, Physician, Comforter, to Thee.”
–Carl J. Spitta
————————————–
Psalm 127 seems to have two parts to this short psalm. The first speaks of a house, a nation, an individual, the second with the family. Let me relate what George Wood says in regard to this psalm. “We are midway on the climb up to Jerusalem. Your geographical location today may be different from the Psalmist’s; but if you have been journeying upward for some time out of a deep personal valley, you may just want to lie down and quit. You’ve gone too far to turn around and go back, but you don’t think you have the stamina to make it the rest of the way. You won’t survive unless help comes from outside yourself.”
1 — Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 — It is vain for you to rise up early, sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.
3 — Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 — Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
5 — Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate. (NKJV)
Look at your life, your family. Has the Lord built it, or have you endeavored to use cheaper material–yourself. It is vital that we all seek to build a life and a family of value. It is also important that we are sensitive to the dangers that may be lurking nearby or that may be in the near or distant future–in other words, remain alert. Read over this psalm again and note how it shows the priorities and practices of the family that is forged by faith.
Blessings of the home are gifts from God and they take work to nurture and develop. A strong family, established in the Lord with godly principles is a great aid to the growth of the kingdom of God. A home should/must be built upon the Word of God. Matthew Henry wrote, “Where we have a tent, God must have an altar.” Where there is a home, there must be the instruction from the Word of God. A godly home and successful work cannot occur apart from the Lord’s blessing. A home without God, is vain (empty, useless, meaningless, futile).
God is also the divine protector of the home/city. Unless the home is under His care the enemy will come in to destroy. To strive hard without God in the center of one’s life is again in vain. When we trust in the Lord, keep things in balance, strive to work hard, we will have the ability to lie down at night in peaceful rest. “God gives inner tranquility and contentment to the person who works in humble obedience to Him.” (Steven Lawson)
This psalm, according to Wood, provides three vital truths about God’s personal care: 1) He builds your life, 2) He watches over you, 3) He provides for you. Everything does not depend upon us; we need to depend and trust upon the Lord. It is vital that the children living under the parent’s care are shaped and that their lives are directed in the ways of God. The parents must provide a godly influence. Arrows must be made and shaped. They must be straight or they will go off course when they are shot into the world. The feathers must be just right. In other words, it takes time and effort to make an arrow, just as it does a life. Lawson says that, “This involves biblical instruction, moral correction, firm discipline, and loving affirmation.” One other word regarding arrows–they must be shot at a target not just fired up into the air. Children must be ready to meet the world, and finally, the arrow must be released. So many times it is not the child that has tied themselves to the apron strings (though more and more we see this) but it is the parents that hold onto the “arrow.”
“O happy home, where Thou art not forgotten,
When joy is overflowing full and free;
O happy home, where every wounded spirit
Is brought, Physician, Comforter, to Thee.”
–Carl J. Spitta