Except The Lord Build

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)

"For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (Hebres 3: 4)

Men do build in vain. Success is of the Lord.

The word "build" often is used in a metaphorical sense and is therefore all the same as the word "edify" (literally, to "build up," or to "erect"). As construction involves putting members together, so destruction involves pulling the members apart. The one word signifies the breaking of the bonds of union between the members of the building, while the other signifies their being joined together.

We can begin to construct houses for good use, but unless the Lord give the means and power, it cannot be accomplished. So wrote the sacred writer, reminding us that "it is the Lord who gives you power to get wealth." (Deuteronomy 8: 18) He not only gives each the power to get so much wealth (or so much poverty) but the power for each to build. If a house is built, it was built by the will of God who gave the men who built the house, their every breath, and their ordinary strength and skill to work.

"...seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things...For in him we live, and move, and have our being..." (Acts 17: 25, 28)

"Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever." (Malachi 1: 4)

Some begin to build, but they are not able to finish. God is against them. They are building in vain. It will not succeed.

Success is "of (or "from") the Lord," just as "safety (or "victory") is "of the Lord." (Proverbs 21: 31)

Are you building in vain? Does success flee from you? Then take stock of what it is you are building, and of the materials you are using.

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." (II Corinthians 3: 11-13)

Is the Lord the masterbuilder of your life? Are you building your life out of the right kind of materials?