A Waste of Time

A Waste of Time 2021 11 28

Psalm 127:1 – 5

I remember a short “Our Gang” comedy about a group of kids who built a clubhouse by themselves without any adult help or supervision.  When it finally came time to show off their work, the whole thing collapsed.  It was obvious that it wasn’t built properly. It just wasn’t built by anyone who knew what they were doing.  The fact is, in spite of all the effort and sweat put into it, it was a complete waste of time.  Then they worked withto  an expert rebuild it, and it turned out great.  Having it built by an expert was a very smart thing to do.

Psalm 127:1 – 5

This Psalm is in a group of Psalms, from 120 through 134, titled,  “A Song of Degrees  for Solomon.”  In the Syriac (or Aramaic) Version the title is, “From the Psalms of the Ascent; spoken by David concerning Solomon; it was spoken also of Haggai and Zechariah, who urged the rebuilding of the Temple.” There has been much speculation down through the centuries by many very well educated Bible scholars and commentators, but there is no general agreement about what the title means, other than that no one really knows.  There is strong evidence in the psalm, however, as well as the evidence of tradition that this was composed by David, near the end of his life, for his son, Solomon.  Especially fitting is the first verse to the man who was commissioned by God to build the temple of the Lord.

Especially fitting is the first verse, today, for millions of those who identify as Christians around the world and especially in the Western World, who want to build their families or their Íchurches themselves, their own way, without referencing God and his Word, except where it fits into their agenda.  Woe unto us if we take this same erroneous path!

1. Put God First
   1. 1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
      • Except God is the builder, your work is a waste of time. The Bible never says that you are to sit down and leave the work to God.  Instead, it says that your work is vain, a waste of time, unless God is the builder.  A building contractor is called the builder, yet he doesn’t do it by himself.  He has a full crew doing the work and may never even pick up a nail;  yet in the end, he is the one attributed with constructing the house.
      • This was true with the temple of God that Solomon built, is true of the church today: If we try to build the church instead of letting God build it, using us as he decides and desires, it is useless. Jesus said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  16:18
        1. Note that Jesus did not say, as the Roman Catholic and many Protestant churches claim, that he would build the church on Peter. “This rock” refers to Christ, Himself, as is evident not only from the context, but also from many other scriptures that refer to Jesus Christ as the foundation of the church and chief cornerstone, including that written by Peter, himself:  “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” 1Peter 2:6  Again in Ephesians 2:20 we read, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
      • Many churches, today, use non-judgmental, man made gimmicks to try to draw in the crowds, mistakenly thinking that once in, they will be converted. This is man trying to build what the Lord Jesus Christ has said he will build.  It leads to the death of many who go to hell thinking they are ok.  “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12; 16:25

1. Pastor Jerry Scheidbach of Lighthouse Baptist Church of Santa Maria, California has written a book about this very thing, called “The New Cart Church,” borrowing for its title from the story of how David, in obedience to God, attempted to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to his city, but though it was an act of obedience, he tried to do it his way, building a new cart to carry it, rather than having it carried by the Levites as proscribed by God. The result was disastrous, resulting in the death of Uzza (2Samuel 6).

• This does not mean that we are not to be busy in the building of the church or our families, any more than the psalmist meant that Solomon should sit idle and wait for God to drop the temple into place. You are to be at work;  but working with God as he works through you. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”  Philippians 1:6
• Trust God to build your family and your church. This is critical.  The best way to fail is to try to do it your way.
• You will be held accountable for the way you do the work that God has called you to. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” 3:13  You can be confident that if God is not in the work you are doing, even if you think you are somehow doing it for him, it will be shown to be a waste of time, burned up like wood, hay and stubble. 1Cor. 3:11 – 15

1. except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
   • Trusting in man rather than in God for safety is of no value; only God is powerful enough to protect against our enemies
   • Too often as we find ourselves trusting in our own goodness and strength, we fall into temptation and then sin because WE are keeping the city…
   • Yet we see again the example: God is not saying there should be no watchman, but that unless God is ultimately watching over the city, the watchman is wasting time.  We ARE to be watching.  “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15,16

• 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows:
  • Getting up early, working late, constantly worrying about material goods – this, too, is a waste of time. If all you ever do is work and worry to get ahead, it will rob you of your joy.  Again, we are to work if we can. “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”  2Thessalonians 3:10  In many other places in the Bible we are commanded not to be lazy but to work.  We are to work to live, but not to live to work.

1. for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
   • God provides the very best for his children and in trusting him, you enter his rest with joy. There is no reason to worry about anything as a child of God, but instead, trust him, cast your cares on him, and enjoy his peace.  Those who constantly worry about work, getting ahead and even how they are going to pay their bills often have a lot of trouble getting to sleep.  “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7
   • Note how our Saviour slept peacefully in the middle of a storm at sea while his disciples cried out in fear!

1. Children are Not a Waste of Time
   1. 3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
      • – literally, an inheritance. Children are a great blessing from God. How greatly this contrasts with the wisdom of the world!  Children are a greater blessing than any amount of things or property we could ever receive.
   2. and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
      • Children are given by God, not as a burden, but as a blessing from his hand. All children, no matter how large or small the family, are a blessing, not a curse! Children are a blessing and a joy, though they may sometimes bring us sorrows.
      • Note that this is further indication that God provides everything you need! Would not God, who gives you children, also give you the means to care for them?

• 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;
  • Arrows are used both as defensive and offensive weapons – good children are a comfort to their parents and look after them when and if they need it later on.
  • Arrows begin as sticks, but they are then carefully crafted and formed to fly straight and true. Children need to be kept in order and carefully trained  “Well doth David call children “arrows”; for if they be well bred, they shoot at their parents’ enemies; and if they be evil bred, they shoot at their parents.” — Henry Smith. 1560-1591.
  • so are children of the youth.
    1. Children that are born while we are young become our friends later on and are a comfort, help, and defense in our old age.

1. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:
   • A large family is a great blessing from God. Spurgeon wrote, “Of course a large number of children means a large number of trials; but when these are met by faith in the Lord it also means a mass of love, and a multitude of joys.”
2. they shall not be ashamed,
   • In Solomon’s day, and even today in many societies, it was considered a shame not to have children. So, a man with many children would not be ashamed.
     1. A person who trusts God to provide for a large family will not be ashamed. God who declares that it is a blessing to have lots of children will certainly provide.
     2. Today, it is a shame when Christians feel embarrassed (ashamed) when they have large families.

1. but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
   • A large family standing together was less likely to come under the heel of the oppressor. A large family is a strong family.
     1. Children become advocates for their parents who trusted in the Lord and took the time to raise them properly
     2. It is never a waste of time to pay careful attention to raising children properly and teaching them the things of the Lord.

Conclusion

It is of utmost importance to rely on God for everything and to be thankful for what God gives.  The world very often takes the exact opposite view of what is good, what is best, what is wise.  God says that the way of the world is vain, useless and empty, just a waste of time.  Trust God for everything, obey him, walk in his will revealed in his word, and thank him for the way he looks after you!