Psalm 127:1-2 “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
God wants me to join him in his work, not to pursue something I’ve dreamed up on my own, no matter how good or noble the goal. All the long hours and exertions to guard my work are wearisome and pointless unless God has called me to it. Am I working for Christ (Ephesians 6:7) or wearing myself out for selfish goals? And even in cases where my motives and goals are pure, when I’m up against deadlines and juggling multiple priorities, I still face the temptation to worry, lose sleep, ignore family, and wreck my health in the quest to do well. This also is wrong – pursuing righteous objectives but with human strength alone. In the same way that tithing builds trust in God, I must also know when to stop toiling and rest, trusting that God will build and watch over the work – and my needs – because he loves me.
Father, this is a tough lesson to learn. My inclination is to work independently of you, to rely on myself, to get a glimpse of your direction and then try to take things from there. But you want my daily, even moment-by-moment, dependence. This was how Jesus lived, doing only what you showed him to do. How can I consider doing otherwise? Please help me live in constant connection with you today. And when this day ends, please give me rest-filled sleep.