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May 27th
The bible reading today is in 1 Chronicles 26-29 and Psalm 127
We continue to read today of David’s last days as King in Israel. It’s obvious that David thought long and purposeful about the transition necessary for Solomon’s coming reign. In the preparations that David made we see God teaching a nation what it will take to build and sustain the kingdom of Israel.
Now in Psalm 127...“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.”
God had taught David and Solomon the value of good old fashioned hard work. Building a house, building a marriage, building a family, building a city, building a worshipping community would take some hard work on behalf of the people.
So the people of Israel...God’s people...understood that the work of man had its place. But God would remind them in a song that without God’s work and blessing, they labor in vain who build it. And unless the Lord watches over the city, man’s precautionary measures are useless. To build and sustain the Kingdom of Israel, God would have to be at the center of it...all of it!
A Latin motto says, “Nisi Dominus Frusta”...meaning...”Without the Lord, Frustration.”
By the way it is the motto of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. Found on its crest and the official city documents to remind her citizens to seek the Lord about building and expanding the city.
“First things first!” When frustration mounts in our life pursuits, perhaps we need to consider our work. “and make sure” that “God” is at the center of it. To make sure that we recognize Him and thank Him for opening the door to the work...thank Him for the privilege of getting to work with Him...whatever the job...and trust Him for the strength and guidance in the work.
Paul said it like this to the church in Corinth...”Therefore My beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the “work of the Lord”...knowing that your “labor” is not in vain in the Lord.”
In Christ, our labor will never be in vain! So let us abound in working with the Lord. It will be a good tired.
Back to the text...another lesson on what goes into building and sustaining the nation of Israel.
The work of the temple...“These divisions of the “gatekeepers”, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the Lord.”
