Unless the Lord Builds the House

This sermon was preached at a Baptism service. It is a Psalm of Solomon about the vanity of a life built on anything other that the Lord God. Only a life that God builds has any meaning or purpose.

Solomon expands on this theme in Ecclesiastes chapters 2,3 where he applies his wisdom to test the various foundations men choose for life:
Ecc 2:1 2:1 I said "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. - I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?"

Then he tests work: 2:4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself... - Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind.
2:12 So I turned to consider wisdom... - This also is vanity.
Solomon's conclusion: 2:17 So I hated life... 2:20 I gave my heart up to despair.
This is the essence of the Hebrew word "Vain" in Psalm 127 - "Vain" refers to something that promises what it cannot deliver. If this is the case of life endeavors apart from God, what hope is there?

Finally, Solomon turns to God - Ecc 3:14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.

The point is, God is not in the business of vanity or temporary - God builds perfectly and His works are forever. This applies specifically, in Psalm 127, to family - Ps 127:3 Children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. God builds families as He chooses.

It is God who builds churches - God gives children within the family and within the church. The church has a duty to care for and encourage the parents and children.