“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
“…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33)
“Unless the Lord…”: that repeated opening phrase in Psalm 127 really stands out for me. I hear it echoed in Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33. Neither the Psalm nor Jesus is condemning building, guarding, working or raising families. The issue is not our mundane, normal human activities that build our own securities. It is more about a challenge: Are we attempting to do in our own strength what only God can truly accomplish? Are we so focussed on creating our own security that we are missing out on security in Him? What begins with God, depends on God, and what seeks the glory of God will never be in vain.
‘House’ is, of course, about far more than bricks and mortar. ‘House’ can refer to establishing a lineage, such as ‘the house of David’. Or to creating a place of worship and service: ‘the house of the Lord’. In our ministry programmes, strategies, and hard work cannot substitute for putting God first and seeking His blessing. Careers, ambitions, plans, dreams and hopes all flourish best when submitted to God. Churches flourish when the Lord leads. What legacy, name or renown are we laying down? What are we building in our churches? Have we invited God into the process and given Him first place? ‘Unless the Lord… [we] labour in vain’