Except the Lord Build the House

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh but in vain.

Have you ever worked hard at something and hoped it to work out perfectly only to find out it was a total flop? I once read a story in the readers digest of a woman who made excellent omelets & egg souffle. One day, newly married she decided to make a egg souffle for supper for her husband. She told how she looked forward to the souffle, knowing it would be perfect. Well, you know the end of the story. When he came home, she proudly took the souffle from the oven, only to find it was a flop. (I think it was one of those 'My-Most-Embarrassing-Moments' stories.) But this story reminded me (then and again recently) of the verse about the Lord building the house. "Except the Lord build."

I have been thinking about success lately. What we call success, what we expect from others in way of success, even how we criticize others based on our view of success.

What is success? I have asked myself this question for weeks, maybe years. I used to know. (I laugh at that last phrase, it should read "I thought I knew".) However, essentially, I did know, for I knew deep down inside I knew that success was doing what God wanted you to do. Although had you asked me, I probably would have had a list.

My old list went something like this....

License

Finish High School

Car

More school

Decent job

Pay off school debt

Take time to enjoy life

Funny thing is, when you have checked off your list you start to realize that golden vision of success is still as far away as ever.

Now, I am not saying not to try. There is nothing wrong with my list (in and of itself). But my list does beg the question as to the significance of each item. Are these successful? Or is sucess when you have enough money to own five Toronto Sky Scrapers and have your name listed in Forbes Magazine?

I beg to differ, success isn't any of these things. Meeting your goals is good--builds character in perseverance, responsibility, integrity, and more. But true success is inaccessible apart from God.

The verse clearly talks about building a house and protecting a city, but the concept is the same for everything. Apart from God, I can do nothing. I think we forget that our accomplishments are only because he gave us the opportunity and the means. Our job is to work hard, honestly before God. Our job is to follow the plans He has for us. God will do the rest. Amazing, is it not?

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; Ecc 9:10

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil 4:13

Jesus said... for without me, ye can do nothing.

Joh 15:5

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:16