Don’t Forget God (Daily Encouragement)

Brian Sullivan   -  

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. – Psalm 127:1-2

Psalm 127 encapsulates the primary areas of life: vocation, community flourishing and family. The primary issue we have in these areas is when we view them independent of God – it leads to restlessness and ultimately is “vain” (not lasting). Psalm 127 reminds us that we can only have a flourishing life when it is dependent on God, which leads to rest. Tim Keller expounds: 

Prosperity and security are not ultimately your accomplishments but God’s gift (v/1). So overwork, worry, and strain are foolish and wrong (v/2). So too are thriving, happy, children are God’s doing (verses 3-5). “Helicopter” parenting and over involvement in children’s lives, cannot ensure their health and happiness. Unless the Lord enters their lives, all our watching is in vain. Giving our children to God is the only way to get to keep them. If you know that the one who loves you unfailingly is in complete charge of history, you will be able to sleep well (v/2). And if you are overworked and overstressed, you are forgetting who God is. Jesus said it most bluntly: Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) 

Each day, we need to remind ourselves that our trust is in the one who loves us unfailingly and is in complete charge of history. It brings rest.