“Father, I Adore You” (Coelho. 1972), Psalms 8:1, and 127:2.
My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Psalm 127.
I’m feeling refreshed, and I think that is because the LORD gave me liberty to take more rest this morning than usual. Maybe that’s the reason I took particular notice of Psalm 127:2b:
Psalms 127:2 … for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
I thanked my LORD for the rest, and entered into communion with HIm in this Psalm. It’s only five verses:
Psalms 127:0 ¶ A Song of degrees for Solomon.
Psalms 127:1 ¶ Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psalms 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalms 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Psalms 127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127 is the eighth of 15 psalms that include “A Song of Degrees” in the title (Psalms 120-134). There are seven songs of degrees before and after; Psalm 127 is at the center. Four are titled “A Song of Degrees of David” (Psalm 122, 124, 131, and 133). I believe Psalm 127 is included in a subset of these fifteen Psalms ascribed to David. I take Psalms 124-130 as a set, and 127 is in the middle of that set. Hence, Psalm No. 127 is at the middle of all the Songs of Degrees, and at the middle of the subset that includes Psalm 127. This suggests that the theme of all these Psalms is the Spirit’s counsel through David to Solomon, who realized David’s dream of building a “house for the Lord,” and was responsible for ordering the worship of God’s people in that house.
David counseled his son, Solomon, and cautioned him not to lose sleep over building God’s House or keeping God’s City. “Except the LORD build the house” and “Except the LORD keep the city,” check our pride, and expose the vanity of rising early, sitting up late, anxious, and eating the bread of sorrows. This is why God “giveth his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:1-2). Solomon carried a great responsibility, and David gave him advice: Receive from the LORD His gift of sleep. Do all you are responsible for doing, but when you’re done, leave what you can’t do to GOD.
Along the still waters, I reflected on the fact that the Church is the House of GOD, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). I remembered Jesus’ exhortation that we pray for laborers to work in His harvest (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2). I also thought of Paul’s warning about building upon the foundation Christ laid, and the truth that we are “laborers” together “with God” (1 Corinthians 3:1-9). Jesus spoke to me, remember, Jerry, what I have given you to do is what you are responsible for doing. But do not forget, I said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18), and I prayed that you would be kept from the evil in this world (John 17:11-15; see Matthew 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18; John 16:33; Matthew 6:25-33; John 14:16-26; Matthew 28:20; Mark 10:29-30).
In the valley, kneeling in the shadow of His Cross, the Spirit whispered in my heart that what we call the “secret sauce” that makes it all work is denying self and submitting to God (Luke 9:23; James 4:7). I submitted to Him, denied myself, took up my cross, and followed Him to the table.
At the table, He graciously anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. He nodded toward the harvest, and we walked together into the field. Goodness and mercy are close behind. God is good!
Praying for revival! 🙏
Going live @ 1:45 PM
0 Comments