Who Is On the Lords Side

Psalms 127:1-2 (NKJV)
¹ Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. ² It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows, for so He gives His beloved sleep.

        We all could save ourselves a whole lot of problems if we would just trust God’s promise that He is always in control. We see in these verses that if we seek any effort outside of the will of God, we will be doing all in vain. We should not even start an effort unless we realize that it is within the guidelines that God desires. We step out of the will of God when we openly disobey Him or when we step ahead of God – doing the right thing outside of God’s timing. God’s clear guidance is in His word. All other solutions are answered on our knees, beckoning the heart of God and seeking godly counsel.

        This process begins with our thoughts. When we are not submitted to the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit, our thoughts will turn to worry or anxiety. Just as a night watchman who fears attack, he will rise often, check around constantly and thus he will not rest or have any peace throughout the night. Trusting God is the same. If we cast our cares upon the Lord and trust that He is in control of our situations, then our thoughts and fears will be at rest.

Verse 2 says that it is vain to eat the bread of sorrows. He is telling us that we must not get distraught about the affairs of this life. There are many other matters about which we need to be concerned. Since Christ promised to clothe and protect His children, we need not be worried or even concerned about these matters. Jesus said, “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clotheyou, O you of little faith?”, (Matt. 6:30, NKJV).

Rest follows trust. God Himself rested the seventh day after creating the heavens and earth. Rest and renewal are in His plan for each of us. If we are overly distraught, too busy or if we are trying to bear the burden of life on our own shoulders, we will be full of anxiety and turmoil. We will not get rest that we need for our body, our mind and our spirit. We can rest and trust, while obediently following God’s word. This kind of rest will bring true peace. The outward circumstances will not matter when our faith is planted in God.

Thought, comments, objections, prayer requests.

Daniel A. Smith