Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Laboring in Vain, Heritage from the Lord
Psalm 127 seems to me to be in two different phases. The first two verses dealing with the construction of a home. It is noted that no matter how much work we do, how well we do it, or even someone else does toward making that home just perfect, if God is not in control, watching over and protecting it will not come to fruition. It reminds us that God is in control and things in our home will be right if they are done through God's leadership and direction. Again He wants the best for all of us. It made me think of our current economic/political situation. It is the same today as then -- without God whatever we try to build will not work! It is my prayer that our nation will again become a nation that looks to the Lord! After all our sometimes ineffective labor, it seems as if rest is hard to get. This was great for me to hear that God provides his blessings/sleep to those He loves! I had never thought of that and have tried to remember that when rest/sleep is hard to find. Then we are reminded that children are a heritage and a reward. They are as arrows in a warrior's quiver to stand for the family and bring honor to it. The scripture states sons and we know that in that time a special significance was given to having sons. For it was the sons who would be counted on to provide, defend, etc. the family. It was in no way offensive to the daughters of that time. It made me realize that I am so blessed to have Christ as the "custom builder" of my home!! He has the perfect set of blueprints! I am so thankful to God for my beautiful family, the three wonderful children, in-laws and grandchildren. Also to be reminded that families are more than just physically blood-related persons but includes those who are blood-related through the blood of Christ. What an extra blessing for us all!
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I found the building of a house representing a home as very poignant. The missing ingredient in many homes today is God and His loving direction. We all know this but this was such a visual illustration. Building a shack Beth said, if we are building our home without God. We have too many shacks in this world. I too, had related this same passage to our government. As I have searched out what is in the stimulus bill, I found there is a portion that deals with cutting off funding for colleges to build or remodel any buildings that permit students to meet for religious purposes, ex. Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The bill is about 1500 pages, lots of hard work, people put in things that they believe will do mighty things or get them re-elected. But it is a work in vain because it is not a work that included God but excluded Him. I am still writing elected officials and pleading with them (even though it has been voted on already) to stop the actual implementation of these unGodly aspects. I am praying daily.
ReplyDeleteThen we have the blessing of our children, God gave them as blessings, are we valuing, treasuring, appreciating them as the blessings He intended? Abortion is a top priority in the "changed" government voted in. One of the first things President Obama signed into law was to re-establish funds for abortions in some foreign countries. So how is that honoring God for the blessing of children? If we as a society do not value the same things God values we are not working with Him but against Him and it is ultimately in vain. Although this topic of government excluding God is dismal and frustrating, I loved the verse in Genesis 15:1 that identifies the ultimate reward: God! He promises to be our shield and abundant compensation, an exceedingly great reward! That is why we must keep our eye on the prize and continue to run the race, looking to work where God is working so that we will not labor in vain. Then we can rest and enjoy the fruits of our labor: peace, joy, and eternity in heaven.
I am very thankful for the family that God has given me both blood family and Christ's family. They have been there for me through many ups and downs and God's work is evident and glorious.