Psalms 127:1-2 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.
Vanity of vanities. A good reminder today that a life built without God being in it is a life without purpose. A life built without a personal relationship with Jesus is a life built in vain. When we seek to build the things that the world tells us will bring happiness and satisfaction, what we really get is worry, anxiety, and exhaustion. We may climb the ladder of success, but what we find at the top is loneliness, and missed opportunities to truly enjoy life. In the process of chasing success and riches, we lose family, friends, and in the end maybe even our health; the result of many sleepless nights and lack of nutrition. After all, who has time to eat or sleep when there is so much to accomplish. Sadly, those who build their lives, by their own strength, accomplishing what the world promises will bring them fame, fortune, and satisfaction, usually end up addicted to alcohol, drugs, and often end up commiting suicide. It is vanity to build anything, whether a physical building, a successful career, or a large family, or even a ministry, if it is all built on our own pride and strength. The bottom line is that none of it is safe and can be lost in the blink of an eye. On the contrary, the man or woman who builds their life on a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus, though they be poor in the things of the world, will be a man or woman who is rich and blessed. When we build our lives on the Rock, who is Jesus, then we build our lives on the most solid foundation we can build upon. If we build our homes, our careers, our families, and the ministry, with Jesus at the center of it all, we will build a life that is guided by the Spirit, with real purpose...God's purpose. We will realize that all we have belongs to God, and that He will be the One to decide what we will have or not have, based on our needs, and His plan for our lives. It may not be a life that looks like a success to the world, and may not produce the of riches the world says we need to have in order to be deemed a success; but it will be a life that produces the kind of riches and rewards that cannot be lost or taken from us...heavenly rewards. A life built on Jesus is a life that enables us to wake up, give thanks, go labor, toil, give, save, and serve; and at the end of the day be able to go home, sit down, give thanks, have a meal, give praise and thanks again, turn off the lights, and find peaceful rest. Why? Because when we prayerfully build our lives with Christ at the center, trusting Him and His Word as we go along, we realize that He is always in control. He is the One who is our Provider and Protector. The bottom line is that if God is in it, then it is not a life built in vain, but a life built for the glory of God. There is no greater success or reward than this.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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