Pray:
God of life, with You I have everything. Without You, all is in vain.
Read:
Psalm 127:1-5
Reflect:
Where are you pursuing things without God's influence?
Psalm 127 witnesses to the critical effect God has upon our lives in various areas: homes (1a), security (1b), work (2), family life (3-5a), and standing in the community (5b). We're dependent upon God for everything that we embody. Much of what is significant to us lies beyond our control. Unless God is in it, we'll end up with empty hands.
It's not that our work and striving have no purpose or value. The psalm isn't saying that, or advocating indifference or laziness. However, if our work is in defiance of God's purpose, it will not bear fruit. The greatest fruitfulness in life comes from doing the works he's prepared for us (Eph. 2:10). That fruit comes when we learn to trust God in our lives and work with him (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 6:1). The fruit is a by-product of God's presence at work in us (Gal. 5:22,23).
The psalm challenges us to trust and surrender, which is easier to say than to do. We're forcefully reminded here that we're not in control, and our striving will be fruitless until we learn to work with God in his purpose. That's when everything finds its proper place (Matt. 6:33,34).
Apply:
Make a conscious effort to hand over and entrust to God every aspect of your life.
Pray:
Breathe on me, Lord, and let Your life, which brings me life, flow through me and out into the world.
