Dec 24 2008
Unless the Lord Builds the House…
Have you ever watched as a house was being built? It’s a complex process, to say the least. And suffice it to say that if the foundation and structure aren’t sound the building won’t stand.
We live in the Ozarks, and for a while my husband worked, installing electrical service in new homes. One day he told me he wanted to drive past a beautiful home he had seen, one with a very serious problem.
The house, which was for sale at the time, was a beautiful yellow frame structure, an appealing design, both inside and out, and looked perfectly sound from all outward appearances. But when we got close enough to look in the windows my husband shook his head.
The inner framing was completely visible, because building had stopped there. I asked him to explain the problems. He pointed to the studs and said that it would’ve been perfectly acceptable to use only two-by-four lumber had the structure only been one story tall, but a second story required much more substantial lumber. As it was, a full second story had already been erected atop the first using only two-by-four studs, and the whole thing was clearly at risk of collapse due to the weight. The last time we drove by the house (years later) it was still unfinished. Someone had invested foolishly and would never live in or even be able to sell that house.
Scripture often speaks of building houses. Psalm 127 says: “Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it.” Counting the cost, making plans, all require research and wisdom, and believers need to consult God on every aspect of planning no matter what the project. Without the input of the Lord the outcome will suffer just as the house with the weak structure.
Often we feel capable of doing things on our own, perhaps because we are gifted in those areas, but wisdom would suggest we ask the Lord the way to go, because He knows what is in our best interest and what is not.
The same is true of the plans we make. We often run ahead of the Lord, looking for ways to fix things. Instead of “abiding” in the Lord, we rush out without praying first and make a worse mess than we had before.
We as believers are already blessed with all the wisdom we could possibly need if we go to the Source of that wisdom. Scripture says, “In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
As times get tougher let’s stop and consult the Lord rather than running around in fear and anxiety. And the Lord will show us the way to go as we listen to His voice and obey His leading.
Praying that the Lord will strengthen each of us for the days ahead.
Because of His great love,
Nancy
