8 June | EVERYONE
«Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.» Psalm 127: 1 2
Above the coat of arms of the city of Edinburgh (Scotland), an extraordinary phrase can be read in Latin: Nisi Dominus Frustra, which means “Except the Lord in vain.” This may be the summary of Psalm 127. Man can build houses, erect majestic buildings, build indestructible fortresses. You can run after your dreams, and work hard and with dedication, from dawn to dusk. However, if you do not place God at the top of your order of priorities, plans and projects, everything you do will only bring you frustration and bitterness.
It is necessary to reflect on the words of Solomon, the author of this psalm. He does not suggest that the builder should stop working, nor does he advise the guards to abandon the watch and fall asleep. Trust in God does not mean sitting idly by and hoping that things will go well or badly “because God allows it.” The implicit idea is that the one who builds the house should do it with care and dedication. Let the watchman of the city do his duty to the best of his ability. Now, what man does will always be incomplete and insufficient if God is not placed as the source of everything.
Life is a cruel and rigorous teacher. You can forget God and choose your own path, but life will teach you with the rod of time that without God everything is in vain. Useless are the efforts of the poor creature without God.
Solomon was writing of his own experience because at one point in his life he forgot God and descended into the depths of emptiness and joylessness. Repentant, he later returned to the Lord and never again departed from Him.
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You see, it is useless to carry out great projects without counting on the God of power and love. What will you, therefore, do in light of this advice.