PSALM 127:1-5: “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. It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 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.”
OBSERVATION: What are my priorities in life? What do I invest my time in the most? What are the most important things in life? The answer to these questions will determine whether we will build our lives with wood, hay, and stubble – or – gold, silver, and precious stones. The answer to these questions are found in this short Psalm of Ascent, Psalm 127.
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. It is vain for you to rise up early…”
The only thing that is lasting in life is that which is eternal. If our priorities are ordered around the things of this life, if our affections are fixed on what we can possess and attain – we are laboring in vain. The only house that will stand is the house that is built upon the rock of God’s Word and His will. The secret to life is to seek “first” the Kingdom of God. We must arrange our priorities around the Lord’s calling for our lives if we are to build with gold, silver, and precious stones.
2. “It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.”
Where do we spend out time? Do we work, work, work, only to rise up again and work some more? Are we constantly so busy that we never have time to sit and reflect, to enjoy a sunset, to walk along a beach, to read God’s Word, to seek the Lord in prayer? A busy life is not the sign of success. To be diligent in our work is to be commended, but to work without balance is not. God gives His beloved rest. Psalm 23 reminds us – “…He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads us beside still water, He restores my soul…” We must take time to rest, reflect, and recreate! We must take time to sit at the feet of Jesus! God desires us to find rest and balance in our lives.
3. ?Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 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.”
There are no “things” that will last a lifetime. The only thing in this life that is eternal are the seeds of love we sow in the lives of others – and most importantly, our family. No one at the end of their life proclaims – “I wish I would have spent more time at work!” One of the most common regrets is – “I wish I would have spent more time with my family.” Our first responsibility is to care for our families, then the family of God, and then the world. Our families are the blessing of the Lord, they are His reward to us. We must always make our families our first priority, and we must never neglect the the family of God.
Lord, help me to order my priorities today around Your will and Your Word. Help me to know when to stop and rest. Give me a hunger and desire to sit at your feet to receive “…that which cannot be taken away.” May I love and cherish my family by investing my time and heart in them. Thank you for this great reward,. In Jesus Name!
