READ: Psalms 126-131
For those of us who are exhausted, overworked, and tired of the rat
race, Psalm 127:1-2 is our rescue. What a joy to remember that unless God
directs the work, anything we do is a waste of time and resources. Too often we
get caught up in the work, forgetting God doesn’t need us to do the work, we
are simply joining Him in what He is doing already. Unless of course we are off
doing our own thing, outside of His plan and design. We go to bed exhausted,
working ourselves to the bone, wondering if our rest will ever come. But this
passage reminds us that God doesn’t want this kind of life for us. He wants to
bless us with sleep and rest. This passage raises some questions for us: Is the
work we’re doing given by Him or are we working in our own strength on our own project?
Do we trust God enough to literally go to bed, get our rest, and sleep,
believing God will be our Provider?
Psalm 127 also speaks to the blessing of children. This is very
counter-cultural in a day and age when babies are aborted at alarming rates,
gender selection abortions are on the rise, and children are neglected and
abused at higher and higher percentages every year. Child trafficking is no
longer a thing of the past, but a threat to our culture. Child sexual abuse is
threatening to become a legally protected right. Our culture does not believe
children are a blessing from the Lord, or a reward, or future guarantee of
protection and care. Yet the Lord says they have much value. This passage does
not say only healthy, or hard-working, or specific gendered, children are a
blessing. ALL children are a blessing from the Lord. This includes children
born to happily married couples, to the young teenager, to the couple who is
making terrible life choices. Every single child is created to be a blessing.
Each of us, no matter our age today, was given as a blessing to this world.
What a thought!
Psalm 130 and 131 both speak about waiting for, and being with, the
Lord. In Psalm 130 the Psalmist is waiting. He is longing desperately for the
presence of the Lord to be revealed within Him. He wants to hear God’s voice,
and feel His nearness. Like a night watchman who is waiting for morning, he
wants God’s nearness so intensely. In Psalm 131 the Psalmist says he is calm
and quiet with the Lord like a baby who is finally again in his mother’s arms. One
can imagine the crying, struggling, temper-tantrumming toddler who is finally
scooped up by his Mama and the crying and struggling ceases. There is rest.
There is peace and security. It is this experience of God the Psalmist longs
for, to be in God’s presence and know God’s comfort intimately.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1.
What is your work/rest/family life like? Ask the
Lord to reveal to you if you are running around working too much, or keeping
yourself too busy with things that He is not asking of you. If you are, confess
this as sin, and ask for forgiveness. Ask the Lord to reveal to you Himself as
Provider, and the giver of your rest. If this is not your struggle, take a few
minutes to pray for someone the Lord brings to mind who is in this position
right now.
2.
Ask the Lord if there is anything in the way you view
children that is not in alignment with His truth that they are a blessing. Ask
God to give you a passion for children that places value on them in a way that
honours God, not by making them the centre of attention, but valuing their
lives and contributions as God-given. Ask the Lord if there is any action you
need to take to live counter-culturally in regards to caring for children as if
they truly are a blessing. Journal and take action if necessary.
3.
For the next few minutes, sit quietly listening for
the Lord to speak to you and envelope you in His presence. Ask Him to speak to
you about His love for you, or anything else He wants. Write down what He says.
Hold onto it for future encouragement.
