The House that God Built

Psalm 127

I.  The Necessity of God’s Blessing (vv. 1-2)

– The main principle in vv. 1-2 is that all human effort is useless (‘vain’) apart from God’s blessing. (cf. John 15:5)   Solomon illustrates this principle in 3 ways:

1)     Building a ‘House’

1. Building the Physical Temple
   1. Superscription identifies this Psalm with King Solomon – the builder of the Temple
   2. Psalm of Ascent – sung by pilgrims on their way to worship in the Temple
   3. Solomon ascribes glory and praise where it belongs – to the Divine builder!
      1. The Pattern for the Temple came from God’s Spirit (1 Chronicles 28:11-19)
      2. The Power associated with the Temple came from God (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)
      3. The Temple was dedicated to God through prayer (2 Chronicles 6)
2. Building the Spiritual Temple/ Church
   1. Jesus is the Cornerstone of His Spiritual Temple (Ephesians 2:19-22)
   2. Jesus is the Builder of His Spiritual Temple (Matthew 16:18)
   3. Jesus allows us to serve within His Spiritual Temple  (Ephesians 4:11-12)
3. Building a Family/ Dynasty
   1. The Hebrew word for ‘House’ – bah’-yith  -can refer to a Structure (Temple) or to a Family Dynasty (Children)
   2. We cannot possibly establish a ‘dynasty’ of godly children apart from God’s blessing
      1. Guarding a City
      2. Earning a Living
         1. Work is ‘vain’ if it produces the ‘bread of anxious toil’ (ie. anxiety, insomnia, ulcers)
         2. Christians know that God continues to work even when we sleep!

Application:  

– Without God’s blessing we can accomplish nothing of lasting value in this life, whether in our Churches, or in our Careers, or in our Families

– Solomon is not advocating apathy or laziness, but rather an awareness that we are utterly dependent upon God  – We do our part (building, watching etc.), but do not trust in our effort– we trust fully in God’s power, and depend on His blessing in every part of life!   “Trust in God and keep your powder dry” – Oliver Cromwell

II.  The Enjoyment of God’s Blessing (vv. 3-5)

1)     Children are a heritage/ inheritance/ reward from the Lord – a gift of His grace!

1. Human effort alone does not guarantee the conception and/ or birth of a child
2. Human effort alone does not guarantee the salvation and godly character of our children
3. Children bring a richness into life that no amount of money can produce

2)     Godly children are ‘arrows’ on the warrior’s bow

1. An arrow does not form automatically from a stick – it must be crafted, shaped & sharpened
2. The purpose of an arrow
   1. To defend the warrior against attack
   2. To defeat the enemy in battle

Application: 

-View children as a blessing, not as a burden

-Do everything in your power to produce ‘sharp and straight’ arrows that will be used of God to assault the kingdom of darkness in the next generation

– Recognize that your human efforts accomplish nothing in the life of your child apart from God’s gracious activity – Be in constant prayer for your children!

– If you are a Christian, you are part of God’s precious inheritance, and one of the ‘arrows’ in His quiver