Thursday, February 23, 2017
Psalm 127 begins with this established truth: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Bible scholars disagree regarding the writer of this psalm. Some believe Solomon wrote it, others believe David wrote it as an instruction for his son. If the psalm was referring to Solomon’s temple, here’s what we know: David had wanted to build it but the Lord did not permit it, choosing Solomon instead. But whether the author of the psalm was David or Solomon, it is obvious both knew that if God was not in the project, their work would come to naught.
The four thousand miles long Great Wall of China, built over two hundred years before the birth of Christ, was set up to keep out invaders from the north but in 1644 the Manchus broke through and overran China. Did they make a breach in the wall? No, they bribed a general of the Ming dynasty to open the gates. Although the wall was, and still is, a bonafide marvel of construction, it did not fulfill it’s purpose. Bottom line: God was not in it.
Please don’t think I’m trying to be political but there is just so much talk and discussion these days about the safety of our homes, community, even our entire country. If and whatever course we decide to take to ensure the safety of our family, and whatever steps are taken by our leaders at all levels, we must not forget this eternal truth: If God is not in it, it matters little what action is taken. Even as God’s children, we all think differently about many issues. Take the safety of our family, for example. Some may buy guns or home protection services, others may do nothing, being totally convinced that if God can’t take care of them, entire armies wouldn’t be able to do it. Regardless of the course of action we take, we must all put our trust in God. It is only in Him, where we can be totally safe and secure,
God’s promise for today: (Proverbs 18:10) “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”
