Unless the LORD Builds the House Psalm 127

A psalm of ascents (center psalm – 8-of 15) The only psalm directly attributed to Solomon A frequently quoted psalm The premise of this psalm, all we do ought to be with His blessing – Colossians 3:17

Unless the LORD builds (1-2) …they labor in vain who build it It matters not what one does, you cannot defeat God’s will. He is in control! Hebrews 3:4

Unless the LORD builds (1-2) Consider the temple, which was built by Solomon – built with God’s blessing – protected by Him as long as Israel was faithful BUT, other efforts were not with His blessing – Babel – Genesis 11:1-9 Haman – Esther 5:14, 7:9-10 Romans 8:28

Unless the LORD builds (1-2) What type of “house” are we building? Our homes – Vs. 3-5, Ephesians 5:22-6:4 The church – Matthew 16:18 Ephesians 3:10-11, (Isaiah 2:2), Ephesians 5:24 What does this say of manmade churches?

Unless the LORD builds (1-2) What type of “house” are we building? Our character – Romans 12:1-2 Society – Proverbs 14:34 Nations that forget God will fail morally, and will eventually collapse.

Unless the LORD builds (1-2) Unless the LORD guards the city – the watchman stays awake in vain You cannot defeat the purpose of God! Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Unless the LORD builds (1-2) Vain attempts – rising early, stay up late, eating bread of sorrows – toiling. You cannot defeat the purpose of God! Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Unless the LORD builds (1-2) He gives His beloved sleep In trust, the godly sleep We anticipate an eternal rest Hebrews 4:1, Revelation 14:13 Ecclesiastes 5:12 – the sleep of a laboring man Peter – Acts 12:5-6 Romans 8:31-32 – “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Children, a heritage (3-5) There is blessing in children, the fruit of the womb is a reward Barren women realized this – Luke 1:24-25, 1 Samuel 1:19-20 Sadly, many fail to realize they are a blessing Sadly, some children are a grief to their parents, Proverbs 17:25

Children, a heritage (3-5) Like arrows in the hand of a warrior An arrow is prepared, “trained” and let go. Hopefully it will hit its target Children are a stewardship! Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4 Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them!

Children, a heritage (3-5) They shall not be ashamed but shall speak with their enemies at the gate Children, as they mature, love and appreciate their parents. They defend them! Proverbs 27:11, 31:28-31 In later life they look out for them – 1 Timothy 5:8, 16

Do we act like the heritage of our spiritual Father?