“If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless.” Psalm 127:1 TEV
“Bring God and His Word into your everyday life in practical and meaningful ways.”
My thoughts today are about “wasted effort.”
What is sadder than investing time and expense in a task only to find your effort of little or no consequence? You may not physically construct anything with your hands, but everyday you are building something – building relationships that may endure or fail, amassing security that will protect and provide or be found inadequate, building a reputation that is well regarded or disrespected, and other such endeavors.
The Bible sums it up this way, “If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless. If the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard.” Psalm 127:1 TEV. That sounds like futility if God is left out. If God is not the center of everything in which you are investing yourself, then much of your effort is wasted. I am just amazed that God is often an afterthought to well meaning, hard working people.
Frequently, a person attempts to build their marriage, family, and business or career – build their life, really – and realize they need help only when things begin to fall apart. People build marriages that collapse, families that disintegrate, friendships that turn sour, and business ventures requiring great investment but returning little profit. How would you describe your life right now? Is your life working as you hoped, or are you struggling and disheartened?
Jesus told a story of two men building their houses. Read Matthew 7:24-27 NIV. There were similarities; they both invested personal effort and sizable expense, intending a safe and secure dwelling for their families. They both experienced severe, threatening elements. Everyone builds with good intention and expectation, yet all may experience unplanned difficulties.
There were also two notable differences. One man built his house on sand. What he did seemed quicker and easier yet was done with similar skill and construction. What he didn’t do became a source of disastrous loss. He did not include God in what he was building and paid a high price for his failure. A wiser man built his house on substantial rock, considering the harder work, longer time, and added cost a worthwhile investment. He was rewarded for his diligence and foresight.
Jesus explained his story this way. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man . . everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man . . the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because Jesus taught as One who had authority.” God and the Bible still speak with authority. God has authority over all of man’s endeavors. It is not just the intellectual knowledge of God’s Word; it is believing and obeying God’s Word, “in practice.”
When you include God in what you are building – whether friendships, family, finances, or career – and bring God’s Word into your everyday life in practical and meaningful ways, you are building wisely. And what you build will survive the storms and endure, not because of what you do but because of who God is. It is still true today, “He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Matthew 6:33 NLT. The priority and investment of your life in the Kingdom of God is never wasted effort.
My prayer for you today is that your efforts are not wasted, but rewarded with success.