Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
Often we look at various ministries and think God must be blessing this or often we ask God to bless our ministries. I think what Psalm 127 is saying is the exact opposite. God Builds the ministry and that is where true fruit lie and what we should seek to be involved in. This isn't governed by numbers but rather a faithful adhering and instruction to God's word.
This Psalm was one written to commemorate the temple being built but yet the focus is not placed on the magnificent temple but rather on the continuation of God's chosen people and even then God is given the credit (verse 3). So despite the attractiveness of anything we are tempted to focus on- the great singing, our powerful prayer time, the great cricket games our focus should be the building up and multiplying of God's kingdom and our ministry's should reflect that.
On a side note Dave told me that some people interpret vs 5 the quiver being full- apparently as an Warrior Your arrow quiver was always marked as empty until you had 8 arrows in it- then it was full. Less than that was useless. wow 8 Kids :) a challenge there to all young marrieds :P
