Psalm 127:1–2: 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. 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.
Experiencing Jesus in the Psalms
The author said that it is vain too attempt things without the Lord. Builders work on a house … in vain unless the Lord builds it, watchmen … guard in vain unless the Lord watches, and being anxious over one’s labor for food and working long hours is in vain. The point is that work done independently of God will be futile. But a person who trusts in the Lord will find rest. Without the Lord, all domestic work is in vain. The toiling should not be taken to mean that people need not be diligent, for the Scriptures elsewhere say they should. Rather, that verse stresses that to work long days without divine providence and support is pointless. 1
Living the Transformed Life
I returned and saw under the sun that — The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11
- Will you seek His purpose for your day, before your day begins?
- Will you seek His power for His purposes, before you attempt to do anything?
- Will you seek His promises for your journey, before the trials and temptations overtake you?
A life lived without God is a life lived in vain. – TWEET IT
Praise and Prayer
Thank You, Father, for saving me and giving me a divine purpose to live for You. Dear Jesus, I want to seek you each day with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
1. Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 885). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
