relationships (Psalm 127:1-5) A Fulfilling Relationship and Home

(Psalm 127:1-5) 

1   Unless the Lord builds a house,
     They who build it labor in vain;
     Unless the Lord guards a city,
     The watchman stays awake in vain.
2   It is futile for you to rise up early,
     To stay up late,
     To eat the bread of painful labor;
     This is how He gives to His beloved sleep.

3   Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
     The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4   Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
     So are the children of one’s youth.
5   Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
     They will not be ashamed 
     When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Being married doesn't make one more fulfilled.  Neither does having children.  Whether we are single, married or have children, it is only God who will "complete" and fulfill us.  It is God who should give us purpose and be our everything.  So, the most important point in this passage is that we become a child of God.

No one can work, earn or buy their way to heaven.  Getting to heaven is only possible by accepting the free gift of salvation that Jesus offers to everyone, because of His work on the cross.  And we do not have to work, earn or buy our eternal security.  We cannot lose our salvation, because God's grace keeps us safe in His hands, forever.  

Then, as children of God, we should be obedient, not because we have to, but because we want to - because we know that, as our heavenly Father, God cares and has a better plan and a better way for us.  So, since we are not to worry about anything, we shouldn't fret about trying to find someone to marry, or become desperate to get pregnant.   

Whether we are single, married, with or without children, go through life embracing the Lord and His will, and allow God to build our homes (lives)!  And then allow God to fill and protect our homes (lives).  Remain focused on the Lord, always.  Then, when people let us down, we will not so quickly fall apart or fall down, because God is our foundation and our pillar of strength.  He is our template of love.  And gives us peace, hope and joy.  

In marriage, when both are focused on the Lord and His word, the marriage will have direction and unity.  When both are leaning on God for His wisdom and strength, the marriage will be stronger.  When we are all growing closer to the Lord in our personal relationship with Him, we will grow closer to each other.

If one has children, as parents, we never stop being parents to our children even after they move out of the house;  but our role as parents change.  Actually, starting at their birth and moving forward, there are constant subtle shifts, as we slowly teach them and equip them for the day that they become fully independent.  But always, our goal should be to teach them that we need to be dependent on God - ALWAYS !!!  And we, as parents, should lead as example, to always be dependent on God!!!

If one is single, this wisdom still applies, as there will be people around us who will be observant and influenced.  Life is hard, and people do struggle.  With that, they will look for answers to find what is missing.  They will also look for ways to either try to fill their lives or to numb them.  I pray that I live my life in such a way that it reflects my close relationship with Jesus, so that others may find God's truth, peace, hope, joy, fulfillment and purpose.