Wasted Work

Unless the LORD builds a house,

the work of the builders is wasted. Psalm 127:1

GOD IS BUILDING HIS HOUSE, a Kingdom made up of families who love and worship him, a city in which he intends to dwell with his people forever. As parents, we’re called to participate with him in this great work. And how do we do that? Through faith. We are called to live by faith and, as Psalm 127 tells us, to trust in the work of God to build our family.

But trusting God to build the house doesn’t come naturally for most of us. In our desire and determination to be good parents, we slip into thinking that if our children are going to become lovers of God, it will be due to our diligence. We must keep them involved in church, teach them the right values, instill in them good habits, surround them with godly people, and live before them as good examples.

Of course, all of these are worthwhile endeavors. But Psalm 127 calls us away from our I’ve got to do it right; it’s all up to me approach to parenting and into an I can trust God; he’s got to do it reliance in parenting. It reminds us that all our anxious planning “from early morning until late at night” (verse 2) is not what will create what we’re hoping for in the lives of our children. The Lord is the one who must do the building. He gives rest to parents who are weary of trying and failing to generate genuine spiritual fruit in the lives of their children.

Lord, unless you build our house, unless you do the work of calling ________ to yourself and implanting in her a desire for you and your ways, all of our work is useless. So please, Lord, do your saving, securing, building work in our home and in our hearts. Save us from the tyranny and anxiety of thinking that it is up to us to build our home into an outpost of your Kingdom. Help us to live by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Give us the rest promised to those who trust you to build your Kingdom in your way and in your timing.