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. Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel. Psalm 127:1-5, Psalm 128:1-6
God’s sovereignty is seen in 3 realms: 1.) Building a house or home, 2.) Protecting a city or home, 3.) Earning a living or working with your hands. In all of these three instances, the sovereign intention of God is far more crucial to the outcome than man’s attempts at success. Otherwise, all of a man’s efforts is in vain. So the psalmist is talking about trusting in the Lord, Unless God keeps our house. Unless the Lord build our house, you know, you’re just worrying in vain. You can’t do anything to add to it, We’ve got to simply just trust the Lord. As far as awaking early, or sit up late, and what does the bread of sorrows mean? (Food earned with painful labor.) You know people just toss and turn all night long worried about things that have already taken place, or are worrying about things that might take place, in either camp; Not an ounce of worry can cure what has happened in the past, nor change the fact, that we cannot control what happens tomorrow. But there is a rest for the people trusting in the Lord. How good it feels to know that in all of my affairs, God is working everything for my good, (Romans 8:28), because I love Him, and I am placing all of my hope and trust in Him, and His Word of promise to me.
Do not neglect your family—What good are a lovely house or large income if the people in your life are robbed of the joys of a happy home? Children are a gift and a heritage, so appreciate them and guard them. They are like fruit, so cultivate them. They can be arrows for fighting the Lord’s battles, so keep them polished and sharpened and aimed in the right direction. Give your self to building a home, and not just a house whose exterior is more important than its interior. It’s not the outer man, but the inward man, the heart that matters to God. In fact, when God measures success in a man, He puts the measuring tape around his heart. Emphasize the building for the future, and not just the present.
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord—When we “fear the Lord” meaning we have reverence for God, His name, His Word, the things of God, Those “who walks in His ways,” God will bring blessing and enjoyment with employment so your work will be a blessing and not a curse (bread of sorrows). Your work will be a ministry to the Lord. As God rewards the work of your hands. And God will bless your home, beginning at the very heart of your home, your spouse. Proverbs 14:1 says: Every wise woman builds her house, Meaning she shows the virtues of godliness in all of her work, and this will have a profound effect on your children and families. All around your table indicates that these blessing are visible whether there little faces at the dinner table, or are now full grown young adults, having at least Sunday dinner together, God says it is a reward for your obedience to trust in Him, and His Word. Your home will be a fruitful garden, and not a desert wasteland. The psalmist makes reference to the family, and family ties and the strength of the nation is in the strength of the family. When we allow God to set the order in our home, the family home begins to be a blessing to many others connected to you. Your church family is blessed by your attendance there, your neighbors in your community are blessed because of your willingness to obey God’s Word, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) The child in the home is to be willingly to sit under the authority of parents with obedient submission to them as God’s representatives to them. While v.1) speaks of actions, the word “honor” speaks of attitude, as Paul reveals the motive behind the action. When God gave the Ten Commandments, the first law governing human relationships was this one (Exodus 20:12). It is the only command of the 10 that relates to the family because that principle alone secures the families fulfillment.
Beloved Friend, Today is as good a day as any to start asking the Lord to show you what His will is for your household. Be open the leading of the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you, truth about yourself, and others in your home. Join me will you, And completely rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ, our resurrected Lord and Savior who has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us in His Father’s kingdom, and will return for us (John 14:1-3). Rest your faith fully upon Him for what your family needs are, give Him ample room to work in your heart as well as theirs. And watch the beauty of the Lord build your house, into a home that glorifies God, and is a great blessing to others.
The beauty of the house is order; The blessing of the house is contentment; The glory of the house is hospitality: The crown of the house is godliness. And old motto often placed above fireplaces.
May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!
