Friday, April 27, 2012
Psalm 127:1-2 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves.
SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT
This psalm is thought to have been written by King Solomon. In it he stresses the Bible truth that when we undertake a work project of any kind, success in the endeavor depends on a lot more than our hard work and sweat. The unseen all-important factor is that the Lord bless what we do.
The instruction this psalm gives would have been appropriate -- and important -- for the Jewish pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem in the days following the Babylonian exile. The temple was in the process of being rebuilt. The nation of Judah was just getting back on its feet. A two-fold temptation confronted God's people: 1) To rely on their own abilities for success in these ventures, and 2) To become discouraged or depressed, thinking that the assignment ahead of them was too difficult to bring to completion. As they chanted this song along the road they reminded each other of the comforting truth that success in their undertakings did not depend on their own might and skill but on the guidance and blessing of the Lord.
The psalm has great meaning for our lives today. It applies to all endeavors -- small and great -- that we undertake through the duration of our heavenward trek. Whether it be planting a tree in the soil or planting our children in the garden of the Lord. Whether it be constructing a house made of wood or building of Christ's Church through the preaching of God's Word. Whether it be a secular business enterprise or the spiritual enterprise of building a Christian home or marriage. Success in the task at hand never depends on our own ingenuity, but on the Lord our God in whom we have placed our trust. Knowing this, we may lay worry aside.
All depends on our possessing God's abundant grace and blessing,
Though all earthly wealth depart. He who trusts with faith unshaken
In his God is not forsaken And e'er keeps a dauntless heart.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 425:1)
