Let God Do It!

I’m going to deviate from the TRAIN scheduled scripture today because I want to share something with you. I was reading in the Psalms over the weekend and came to 127 which is the fairly well quoted “Unless the Lord builds the house” scripture.

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to [a ] those he loves.

And the scripture really bugged me. Because I’m not a good sleeper. I never have been. I’m a light and restless sleeper. Like everyone, that gets worse when I’m busy or stressed. So there are periods of my life when I really struggle with sleep. So if you read this verse at face value it seems like God doesn’t love me very much, especially when I need it the most.

I guess I’d never really studied it too much before, but I saw the little “a” next to that part of the verse and realized that there was either a scripture reference or an alternative translation. It’s pretty easy when you are using the computer (I was just using Biblegateway.com on the internet- Biblegateway.com). So I clicked on it and this would be a different – and better- translation of verse 2

2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for while they sleep he provides for [a ] those he loves.

When you put both verses together it all makes sense. If God is building it – whatever the “it” is in your life – you can work yourself to death trying to do it yourself.

For me, that would be my family and the church. Sometimes I don’t sleep because I think I’m supposed to be working everything out. Like it’s all up to me. Do you ever do that? Even the good stuff. The growth of the church and the awesome opportunities we have in front of us can make us lose sleep. Even if the Lord IS building the house – we labor in vain if we don’t labor IN HIM and sleep IN HIS REST.

I ask you to pray for the staff and leadership of PCC. The Lord is building this house and crazy great things are going on. And Satan sees that and wants to distract us and trip us up. I can’t tell you how much spiritual warfare is going on right now.

The thing is that Satan is clever. He’s never blatant. He’s the father of lies (he sits on a throne of lies). He just wants to trip us; he doesn’t want to come with a full frontal attack.

And what a great lie this one is! “You’d better work harder and sleep less because God needs you.”

It feels right. Hey, there are periods when we have to deal with life and what it throws at us. Laziness is another lie from Satan.

Just remember this verse. If God is doing it, you can go to bed. You will still have to labor and toil, but the ultimate responsibility is NOT YOURS.

Peace, out.
Tim

Comments

[Lisa]

Praise the Lord that He has it all under control and I don't have to stay up all night worrying about it!! As I 'rest in Him' I can ponder things to go along with that like...He is I AM and I am I AM NOT, and it's not about me, and....the list goes on. Ah, so much better than running ourselves ragged trying to figure it all out and get it all done. Thank you again Tim :)

[Kathy]

I believe the Lord speaks to us, even through computers. I've been struggling with some personal issues for some time now. I keep working really hard thinking if I just work a little more I might be able to come to some sort of resolution. I pray constantly about it, still, nothing seems to change. As I was driving home tonight, I kept thinking Lord why don't you help me. I can't do it anymore. I'm so afraid. I'm so tired. I think Tim God used you tonight to answer my prayer. Just Let God do it. I think I'll go to bed early tonight. Thank you