Building the House
Today’s Verse:
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. ~Psalm 127:1
Whenever I get the opportunity to visit the home of a friend or church member, I ask them, “Who is your builder?” The name of the builder tells us something about the type of houses that this builder builds. There are very good builders who stand proudly behind their workmanship. There are others who are simply in the business to turn a profit and provide a less-than-satisfactory house. Our devotion this morning is about who the Builder of your home and life should be.
There is a qualification.
“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” If the Lord is not the One building your home, you are wasting your time and money trying to build it. If the Lord is not the One building your home, your home will not withstand calamities and problems. If the Lord is not building your home, you are building with inadequate materials, shoddy workmanship, and plans that will fail. Building without the Lord will result in a house that cannot pass the inspection test. If we are trying to build without the Lord, time, testing, temptations, and trials will reveal what kind of house you have been trying to build.
There is the question.
WHO is building your home? If it isn’t the Lord, then who is the builder? Is it the secular education system? Is it the world with its enticing temptations? Is it the government with its humanistic philosophy? Is it your desire for gain and to keep up with your neighbors? Is it family traditions over fundamental truth? Then, HOW are you building your home? Are you building to impress others or inspire others? Are you building your kingdom instead of the kingdom of God? Are you building to develop your own followers, or are you building to develop followers of God?
There is the quality.
When the Lord builds the home, the Bible is read and emphasized. When the Lord builds the home, our family time is centered on the Lord and on wholesome activities. When the Lord builds the home, we are careful not to allow idols and objects of vain worship to come inside. When the Lord builds the home, there is a sweet spirit of helpfulness and love. When the Lord builds the home, home is a place that is peaceful, restful, and enjoyable. The best memories come from a home that is built by the Lord.
There is the quest.
We must say like Joshua, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” We must say like Jacob, “Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments.” We should bind the Word of God upon our hands, upon our life, upon the wall, and upon everywhere that is visible in order to make it prominently displayed throughout the house. We must raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We must make it our fixated goal to build a home that is glorifying to God.
Who is your builder? Don’t allow your home and life to be built on bad materials and selfish desires. Let the Lord build your home and see the difference when Jesus is put first!
Have a blessed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 33-35