Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Only God can protect and provide! We are wholly dependent on His protection and His provision. Our motivation to praise and glorify God is directly related to our understanding and accepting our complete dependence on Him!
God uses means to protect and provide for His beloved– houses, cities, children. We are meant to work; laziness is a sin. We are meant to build our houses, guard our cities, sleep with our mates. But the safety and provision provided by these “means” is sourced in God alone!
Success in any endeavor is determined by whether God gives or withholds it! God controls the universe and all that is in it. He is the source of all life and power. Nothing happens without His permission – without His allowance! God is the source of all success:
- He sustains our lives.
- He blesses or doesn’t bless our efforts.
- He gives us wisdom, strength, health, rest – all comes from His hand.
- He spares or does not spare from disasters – fires, earthquakes, floods, injuries, etc.
Independence and pride are the exact opposite of God’s design. To live and work as if God is irrelevant is the antithesis of God’s purpose for humanity, which is to enjoy and glorify Him.
HOUSE
if God chooses, for whatever reason, to not build the house then our efforts in doing so will not succeed in achieving what we intend. Without God’s active blessing, construction will not be completed. But say He does permit the house to be built, then its purpose of protecting, providing safety, being a place of rest will not be ultimately realized.CITY
our city offers protection. So we must build its walls and then stand guard. But if God, for whatever reason, chooses not to protect us, our city will be overrun by the enemy! We must recognize our walls and vigilance are not enough; we are wholly dependent on God for safety and survival.CHILDREN
as we become old and feeble our children can protect and provide for us. Children are God’s gifts and a means through which he provides and protects us. But again, our protection and provision in old age is sourced in God alone.
So, yes, you are capable, you are strong – build that house. Your eyes are 20/20 – guard that city, keep a sharp lookout. Your virile, you’re a stud – have those children!
But don’t get cocky! Stay humble! You are who you are; you have what you have, only at God’s pleasure!
He alone is your protection and your provision! Trust Him, fear Him, obey Him, worship Him and love Him!!
Then work hard, go to bed, sleep well and live your life to the full!
