Unless the LORD Builds the House Psalm 127

• A psalm of ascents (center psalm – 8 -of 15) • The only psalm directly attributed to Solomon • A frequently quoted psalm • The premise of this psalm, all we do ought to be with His blessing – Colossians 3: 17

Unless the LORD builds (1 -2) • …they labor in vain who build it • It matters not what one does, you cannot defeat God’s will. • He is in control! • Hebrews 3: 4

Unless the LORD builds (1 -2) • Consider the temple, which was built by Solomon – built with God’s blessing – protected by Him as long as Israel was faithful • BUT, other efforts were not with His blessing – Babel – Genesis 11: 1 -9 Haman – Esther 5: 14, 7: 9 -10 • Romans 8: 28

Unless the LORD builds (1 -2) • What type of “house” are we building? • Our homes – Vs. 3 -5, Ephesians 5: 22 -6: 4 • The church – Matthew 16: 18 Ephesians 3: 10 -11, (Isaiah 2: 2), Ephesians 5: 24 What does this say of manmade churches?

Unless the LORD builds (1 -2) • What type of “house” are we building? • Our character – Romans 12: 1 -2 • Society – Proverbs 14: 34 Nations that forget God will fail morally, and will eventually collapse.

Unless the LORD builds (1 -2) • Unless the LORD guards the city – the watchman stays awake in vain • You cannot defeat the purpose of God! Ecclesiastes 12: 13 -14

Unless the LORD builds (1 -2) • Vain attempts – rising early, stay up late, eating bread of sorrows – toiling. • You cannot defeat the purpose of God! Ecclesiastes 12: 13 -14

Unless the LORD builds (1 -2) • He gives His beloved sleep • In trust, the godly sleep • We anticipate an eternal rest Hebrews 4: 1, Revelation 14: 13 • Ecclesiastes 5: 12 – the sleep of a laboring man • Peter – Acts 12: 5 -6 • Romans 8: 31 -32 – “If God be for us, who can be against us? ”

Children, a heritage (3 -5) • There is blessing in children, the fruit of the womb is a reward • Barren women realized this – Luke 1: 24 -25, 1 Samuel 1: 19 -20 • Sadly, many fail to realize they are a blessing Sadly, some children are a grief to their parents, Proverbs 17: 25

Children, a heritage (3 -5) • Like arrows in the hand of a warrior • An arrow is prepared, “trained” and let go. Hopefully it will hit its target • Children are a stewardship! Proverbs 22: 6, Ephesians 6: 4 Deuteronomy 6: 4 -9 • Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them!

Children, a heritage (3 -5) • They shall not be ashamed but shall speak with their enemies at the gate • Children, as they mature, love and appreciate their parents. They defend them! Proverbs 27: 11, 31: 28 -31 In later life they look out for them – 1 Timothy 5: 8, 16

Do we act like the heritage of our spiritual Father?