Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who builds it;
The Lord brought this Scripture to mind this morning and it has been bouncing around in my head, so I thought I'd write down my thoughts.
When we started on this journey, we had no idea what we were in for. One of us had no knowledge of salvation, and the other claimed salvation but had no real understanding of what it really meant. Now here we are 21 years and 7 kids later. It's been a crazy journey so far, but as I look back, it has been so worth it.
Back to the Scripture...Unless the LORD builds the house...I know most people use this in context to family, and that's how we have applied it in ours. But I also think it applies to US...people...mankind. Unless we make God the Lord of our lives, we labor in vain in all that we do. Unless we seek Him in all ALL of our decisions...big and small, we will just be "running around in circles". The Bible says in Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."
We tend to get caught up in the right now. We want what we want and we want it right now. We don't look out for what's ahead. But God sees what's ahead, and He has a plan for us to reach our destination. When we seek Him, He will guide us. It's the times that we get caught up in what's going on around us that we stumble and fall. When we take our eyes off of Him. If you are paying attention to everything but the road when you are driving, you'll most likely end up in a ditch. And if you don't have a map, you'll end up hopelessly lost.
Unless the LORD builds the house...I think this also applies to relationships...Spouses, children, family, friends. Unless Christ is at the center of our relationships, they won't be deep, lasting, meaningful. You'll be acquaintances at best. We need to love one other, and exhort one another in the Lord. When Christ is the Lord of our relationships, they will last for eternity.
We are going through a trial. A fiery trial. It's hard. It's painful. And the end is nowhere in sight. It's like God is slowly tearing off a band-aid. I want to scream, "Just rip it off already!" I need to remember that healing takes time. James 1:2-4 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." When the trial is over we will be better than we were before. IF we don't lose faith.
God is testing our faith. My faith. My husband's faith. Our children's faith. Our family's faith. Of course, like Proverbs 14:12 says, there is a way that seems right to us. We think we know how it should go. We want it all to play out how we think it should. Our way. Our timing. But Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
Discipline is hard. It's hard to give. It's hard to receive. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:6, "For whom the LORD loves he chastens". That verse gives me hope. God loves me enough to discipline me, just as we love our children enough to discipline them. Even though it's painful. Some may even say it's harsh. It is necessary. God is molding us. Shaping us. Making us into vessels to be used by Him. For His purpose. For His glory.
There are those that see us going through this trial that think we should handle it differently. I'm sure they mean well, but frankly, it's none of their business. It is not their cross to bear. We know that if we keep our eyes on Jesus and follow Scripture, we will reach our destination.
We know we are not laboring in vain.
This house that the LORD is building will stand firmly on the Rock.
