Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 127
The Psalm may be more about building a household and home, than constructing a house. Notice that dependence upon God is the emphasis. We can try to do all kinds of things on our own and in the end we find ourselves without the help of God. All along, he says He gives to His beloved even in our sleep. Children are a gift, a reward, and an addition to any man’s family. A blessing comes to the man whose quiver is full of them. A sense of pride (not be ashamed in the gate) comes to every Father when he speaks of his kids.
Does this describe my household? Certainly the blessing I feel today as I think about my children! This is Father’s Day and I could not be happier with my children. The Lord has built our house, not me. Kai, Eden, Keanu and Kaenan feel like arrows in the hand of a warrior… they are useful to God and His Kingdom.
Lord, I am blessed… just as You describe in this song. My heart is singing today. May I say to you… Happy Father’s Day!
