day no. 12,820: unless the LORD does raise the house, in vain its builders strive‏

***The following was originally written when we were looking for a home in the CF/W'loo area.

Since the recent focus of prayer and petition has been finding a home for Team VV to drop anchor in the Cedar Valley, I decided to read Psalm 127 as part of our regular dinner devotions.

 

I found myself encouraged and enlightened by explaining the text to my children. People cannot build houses that can survive if God should decide to destroy them. People cannot destroy houses that God has determined to uphold and exalt forever. My children are part of this house that God is building by grace through faith.

 

As a result, I am blessed and will not be put to shame for God is with me because Christ is for me.

 

Psalm 127

 

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.

 

There exists no power so strong as to overcome God.

There exists no power so strong that God cannot overcome it.

 

There is by man created no goodness so good, no purity so pure, no righteousness so righteous, no hope so hopeful that God is overpowered by it.

 

There is by man created no might so mighty, no fortress so fortified, no resilience so reliant, no resolve so resolute that God cannot overpower it.

 

God is defeated by nothing.

Nothing can defend itself against God.

 

There exists no home built by man that can reach the threshold of Heaven.

There exists no home built by man that will stand before God on its own foundation.