Xanthe Hancox

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2

We all know laziness is futile, but how many of us miss the futility in some forms of hard work? Life is nothing unless we live it with and for the Lord.

That’s the point Psalm 127 makes when it says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain.” This doesn’t mean we sit back and expect God to do all the work. But unless we plan with God, we will fail utterly.

We need a higher goal than making a living, or getting ahead, or planning for retirement. We need to plan with God’s purpose in mind. As the writer of Proverbs states, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).

God has a plan for us. We are called to be kingdom builders, each of us in our own way and in our own place. The question for all of us is, how will we use our gifts, our talents, our resources, and even our limitations to be a part of God’s building program?

So, work hard with what you have been given, for as long as you are given, and get some sleep along the way. Trust God’s will be done. He will accomplish everything he means to be done through you.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for inviting us to help in building your kingdom. Show us your plan, and help us to build with you. Amen.