READ Psalm 127. 1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch 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 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children 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 opponents in court.
REST. Prosperity and security are not ultimately your accomplishments but God’s gifts (verse 1). So overwork, worry, and strain are foolish and wrong (verse 2). So too thriving, happy children are God’s doing (verses 3–5). “Helicopter” parenting and overinvolvement in our children’s lives, cannot ensure their health and happiness. Unless the Lord enters their lives, all our watching is in vain. Giving our children to God is the only way we get to keep them. If you know that the one who loves you unfailingly is in complete charge of history, you will be able to sleep well (verse 2). And if you are overworked and overstressed, you are forgetting who God is. Jesus said it most bluntly: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Prayer: Lord, admitting my accomplishments are your gift is a bittersweet thing to do. It stings at first because it humbles. But then it is so very sweet and brings such peace. It is not up to me, and it never was. Let me work hard, with this liberating insight removing the pressure I sinfully put on myself. Amen.