God The Architect

Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.

Psalm 127:1

Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the twentieth century’s most well-known architects, practiced “organic architecture”—designs that flow out of and reflect the context of their environment. His designs are easily recognizable, perhaps the most famous being “Fallingwater,” a private Pennsylvania residence with a waterfall and stream running beneath it.

We ought to be able to recognize what God builds as well, since He also is an “architect and builder” (Hebrews 11:10, NIV). If you looked at the homes on your street, which ones would you identify as having been built by God? Would you pick your own home? Solomon wrote that unless God is building our homes, we are laboring in vain. The family we build in our own strength will not be recognized as one of God’s homes. The Bible calls God’s works the fruit of the Spirit and humans’ works the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-23). God’s buildings are characterized by love and encouragement, humanity’s by enmity and strife.

The only way to end up with a home that reflects God as the Architect is to build according to His plan—the Word of God.

The Christian home is the Master’s workshop where the processes of character molding are silently, lovingly, faithfully, and successfully carried on.

RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES, LORD HOUGHTON