Psalm 127:1  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.
2  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

We have these two verses at the front of our pulpit in our church. I want those who enter our building to be reminded that there is only one way to build a successful life. The Psalmist wrote these words under the inspiration of God. These words are important for us to consider.
As we look at the things that have taken place over the past few years in our country, those who are saved can clearly see that our country is not just a little off course. Our country has completely lost its way.
There are so many problems facing our country. Most of them are the result of foolish choices by government officials. Yet the governments have developed such a subtle way of weaselling their way out of responsibility.
For the past week or so, there have been wild fires in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and in parts of B.C. It was reported that at least one of the fires was deliberately set by the powers that be. The fire in Banff was deliberately set by an organization that is trying to bring more “equality” to the fire fighters of Alberta. They claim there are not enough women signed up as fire fighters. This group organized a “training session” in a designated parcel of ground in Banff. There were supposed to be women being trained to fight fires at this location. The problem is that after they lit the fire, it got out of hand and they lost control of it.
Officials have stated that several other fires were deliberately set. We do not know if the govt. or other agencies were involved in starting them or not. We have heard reports that it is extremely dry in Alberta at this time. Why would anyone start a fire in the bush as a training exercise when it is already very dry? It is common knowledge that a fire creates its own wind. When you have untrained people working at a fire scene, things can quickly go wrong.
It is not just foolishness to hold a “training session” in such conditions, but then to try to get more women involved in fire fighting? Women are supposed to be keepers at home, not out dragging heavy hoses and other things that they are not designed to do. In an emergency around the home, women can help with many things. However, there are certain things women are not designed to do on a regular basis.
Our country is so far off course, it is amazing that they even know how to walk. There is no recourse to this foolishness either. The powers that be assume that they are at a level so much above the lowly tax payers, that we just would not understand what they are doing. We should just be thankful that we have such “wise” people at the top.
God stated that “except the LORD build the house”. The word LORD is all capitalized. This is in reference to Jehovah God. This is one of God’s names. God’s names describe different attributes of God. He is the self-existent God who knows all things and does not need to consult with anyone before He does something. In fact the Bible tells us that God had everything all planned out before He created the world.
He has given man all the truth he needs in order to be on the right side of God’s plans. Our finite minds have difficulty understanding the fact that God has it all planned out, and yet He gives man a free will. The wise person accepts the fact that God is so much wiser than man and that man is wise to trust God in all things. God has given us much information to study and learn. He has provided the only way for man to be saved. It is only when man is saved that he can begin to make wise decisions. He can only make wise decisions when he prays and seeks Godly counsel in his decisions.
Thus the Psalmist was directed to remind us that “except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” It is not possible to build a “house” properly without the correct blueprint. It is also necessary to be able to read the blueprint. Lost people cannot read the blueprint. Saved people that are careless will not read it properly either.
The important institution that God designed is the family. The physical head of the family is the father. The father needs to know the true God, not just as Saviour, but also as Lord of his life. The local church is also important for the family. No family can function properly unless they are attending a good church faithfully.
It is true that many churches are not being built by the LORD. Many churches are just social clubs. However, there are still true churches today. Jesus Christ declared that He would build His church upon Himself. Unless we build upon the LORD, we cannot build properly.
It is not a bad thing to admit we need God to guide us in all decisions that we make.
The Psalmist was directed to write further: “except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” There were security guards at the mall in Texas where the gunman shot and killed seven people and himself. He injured others as well. One of those security guards was killed by that gunman. Those guards could not prevent this tragedy from taking place. There was a police officer there for another matter. He heard the gunshots and he ran to where they were and he took out the shooter. However, many people were either wounded or lost their lives by that time. These tragedies are increasing and they will continue to increase because too many people are building their lives on vain ideas. When those vain ideas do not work out, they panic and they react in ways that are not rational.
What we see taking place in our own country and also in other countries should be driving saved people to want to draw nigh to God. There should be a greater interest in God’s Word and in God’s house.
Who is building your life? If you say that God is, it should be evident in your life. You should be a member of a true local church where you can grow and where you can serve the Lord. It should be of great concern to you that you are a part of a church that honours God’s Word. Don’t say that there are none like that. There are not very many, but there are some. If you ask God to lead you to a good church, He will do that. If you get involved in that good church, you can be praying for the pastor and other leaders so that that church remains faithful to God’s Word.
God knows how to build a house. He will not let you down. The answer to today’s needs is still God. If He has His rightful place in your life, you will be able to rest and you will be able to succeed in your short life on this earth. You will be assured of a home in heaven, not because you “feel” that is where you will be. You will be assured of a home in heaven because you are building on the truth.
Pastor Bartel