Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 83 – Psalm 127:1-2 – To Those He Loves – Growing As Disciples
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. Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)
Unless
“Unless” is a very important word for you to hear and understand. Why is that? If you don’t hear and understand the word “unless” you could waste your entire life. How could that be possible, it’s such a small word? Have you ever wasted a day running around racing to do something that wasn’t all that important? I’ve wasted a lot of days doing just that. Have you ever evaluated your “to do” list and discovered that it had a bunch of meaningless tasks on it that won’t add up to anything of real value? I’ve noticed that far too often. Have you ever made your own plans without asking me what I thought? Yes, I’ve done that. Have you ever relied solely on your own strength to accomplish your work? I’ve done that as well. Are you wondering how that little word “unless” relates to all my questions? Yes, I am. Are you still wondering how not understanding that little word “unless” could cause you to waste your life? Yes, I am. But, I think I’m beginning to figure out where you have been headed. Let me hear your thoughts. I will give you a little clue. What’s that? Begin your thoughts with the word “unless”. All right, I will. Unless, I take time to know your will, I will be spinning my wheels in life. Unless, I understand what you want me to do, I may waste my life working on what was of little value. I may think that I have or I am accomplishing a lot. But, one day I may look back only to realize that my life has accomplished next to nothing of lasting and eternal value. My own thoughts and plans and accomplishments will amount to nothing without you. Apart from you, I can do nothing that will bear fruit for all eternity. Unless, I rely on your power and strength to work in and through me, I will never be able to accomplish the work that you have given me to do. No, you will not. You must rely on me.
Do you have any more thoughts about this little word “unless”? Yes, I do. Unless, I rely on your power and strength I will work even harder because I will see how little I have accomplished in life. Unless, I rely on you to work in and through me I will get up early and stay up late working in vain. Unless, I know that I am bearing the fruit that you want me to bear, I will work myself weary and never get the sleep and rest you want to give to me. My life will have no rhythm or balance. No, it will not and why is that? It will be because I did not understand the value of the little word, “unless.” That’s right. I want you to guard and guide and bring balance to my life. I can see that. So, I will not fail to understand hear and understand all that you are saying to me through this little word “unless.” I will let you work in and through me. I will do the work that you have given me to do. I will rely on your power and strength. I will allow you to guard and guide my life. I will allow you to bring balance into my life. I will slow down and accept the sleep and rest that you want to give to me. That will be very good.
Lord, I want to know and do the work you have given me to do for you. I want my life to bear fruit for you that will last for eternity. Guide me to do your work. Bless my efforts as I rely on you. Guard, protect and balance my life according to your will and plan. Amen
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Promises – Psalm 127-1-2 – To Those He Loves – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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