Interior of the Pantheon, Rome, Italy, 2011, taken by Martha Wiggins
“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalm 127:1
Do you sometimes feel as if your wheels are spinning round and round, but you are going nowhere? Does it often seem as if you take two steps forward and then one step backward? Does it seem as if all your effort is for naught, or in vain?
When spinning their wheels, some people think the answer is to keep on pressing the gas pedal. In reality they are just digging in deeper and deeper. It will take a tow truck to get them out instead of just a wooden plank placed on the ground in front of the tire. There are times when the head first approach may get us hit on the head!
During times when everything is going wrong, or everything comes to a standstill, we need to take a good look at our direction, our choices. Have we consulted God about them? Do we make Him a part of our everyday decisions and routines? If not, we can expect to keep on spinning our wheels and getting nowhere. Our efforts will be in vain. As Psalm 127 continues in verse 2, “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat–for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
In the Bible, we learn that King Solomon, son of David, asked for and was given the gift of wisdom from God. “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. … So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3:7,9) The Lord was pleased with David for asking for wisdom instead of power and riches. “I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give what you have not asked for–both wealth and honor–so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decreees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:12-14) All of this because he asked for wisdom! When we ask for the Lord’s guidance and then walk His path in obedience we will be greatly rewarded for our efforts.
By taking time to pray, by seeking His guidance and keeping Him a part of our plans, we can expect Him to watch over our labors. We can expect Him to stand guard over us. We can even expect a good night’s sleep!
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance–for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddle of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:5-7
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