“Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain” (Psalms 127:1 HCSB).

WHO IS BUILDING YOUR HOUSE?

This psalm of Solomon is apt for today’s One Year Bible reading as the Old Testament reading is about the building of the Temple. Yet although God had given Solomon such amazing wisdom, he failed to apply it to his own house. Isn’t this often the case? We know more than we do?
 
For Solomon was great at building buildings, but failed to follow God’s wisdom in managing his own family, his own house. For when he was old, his many foreign wives turned his heart to other gods, so that he became disloyal to the Lord (cf. 1 Kings 11:4).
 
We can build many things, but we labor in vain when we try to build a family or a church in our own wisdom and strength. For a house is not a home, nor a cathedral, a church. They are mere empty shells without a family to dwell in them.
 
Do you want a loving family? Would you desire to be part of a vibrant and growing church? Remember what Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). Our job is to BE the church and trust Christ to BUILD the church.
 
Unless the Lord builds it, you will labor in vain. Indeed, you will be the one tearing it down with your own hands (cf. Prov. 14:1). Trust the Lord as the Founder and Builder of your house.
 
PRAYER: Dear Father, we understand that the church is not the steeple. It’s the people. And only You can build the church. And only You can build a family. We therefore surrender afresh to You today. We entrust our families and church families to You. We thank You for Your many blessings. We ask You to continue blessing us. Lord, You are our firm foundation and builder. Have Your way with us today. In Jesus’ name, amen.