Scripture: Psalm 127:1-2 Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Devotion: Oftentimes, as we read through Scripture, there are references to things that we do not understand or a deeper meaning that we might wonder about. However, the first part of Psalm 127 can easily be taken at face value. The primary idea is that human effort is useless if God is a not a part of it. So, what does this mean for us? We can rely on the Lord to provide and then rest soundly. In fact, in verse two, we are promised sleep and freedom from the anxiety that can keep us awake at night.
When I wake up- give my day to the Lord.
When my kids wake up- pray that they would feel the love of Jesus regardless of how their day goes.
When I send my first email- recognize that God has called me to this work.
When I eat my lunch- thank the Lord that He provides my daily bread.
When I must have a difficult conversation at work- pray that God would be present in it and be represented well through me.
When I am losing my patience- pray that God would renew my strength and my spirit.
When I am short-tempered and don’t get it right- confess it to God and ask for the wisdom to respond differently next time.
When I go to bed- thank Him for His all-sufficient grace and His unending love.
And then? Then I can rest well. I can trust that when I bring God into every area of my life throughout the day, He will guide me and sustain me. My labor is not in vain. He is present through it all. And then I can close my eyes, release my worries and anxieties, and trust in Him to continue to provide for me through the night.
Reflect:
- Do you find it challenging to bring God into every area of your life (family, work, friendships, home, etc.)?
- How can you rest better knowing that God grants sleep and rest to those who love Him?
- Listen to “My Labor is Not in Vain” by CityAlight- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNv8OweQ6VM
