Thursday September 9, 2021

Today’s Reading: Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.

Psalm 127:1

Reflection: Men and women can toil with all of their best efforts around something, but unless the LORD brings it to fruition by His Will, their labor is in vain. This speaks to our own frailty as people. We may toil day and night, we may consume ourselves with how our actions affect outcomes, we may even try to rely completely on our own abilities. But this is all vanity when we neglect the LORD’s influence over every situation: that He is sovereign over it. People can only build what will one day either turn to dust or become forgotten history. But the work that God accomplishes is everlasting. By His power, He builds what matters.

Why, then, do we work if the LORD is the One Who brings all lasting work to fruition? It is becuase He has commanded us to do so. Our God directs us to act and speak on His behalf, to spread His Gospel of Truth, and to labor for the sake of His Kingdom. But none of what we do for Him can be fruitful if we go forth into the world without Him. Even as we act in obedience to the LORD, we are completely dependent on His power to bear everlasting fruit.

Do not stop working as a servant of God! It is His desire for You to be a part of His plan on earth. But do not persevere for the cause of Christ in your own strength. All that you will do for Him will only be fruitful as you rely on His power and might. Stay strong in the LORD as you do the work that honors Him and He will make use of it for His glory.

Prayer: Almighty God, You are strong and powerful beyond compare. All the work on earth which glorifies You can be credited to Your strength and Your goodness. Thank You for Your grace to include us in Your Will. We know that You do not need any of us to accomplish it, but choose to bring us into Your work anyway. Please help me to honor You in all that You call me to do. Teach me to rely increasingly on Your power and might, that I would not act in my own strength but instead learn to rest in Your power. I pray all of these things in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan (credit: Bible, studytools.com): Titus 3; Jeremiah 17-18; Psalm 127