Psalm 127:1: “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.”

May 12th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Benjamin Franklin quoted these opening words of Psalm 127 in a challenge to the 1787 Continental Congress. He then said:

Do we imagine that we no longer need [God’s] assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth—that God Governs in the affairs of men . . . [and that] without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel:

Franklin understood that God’s direction and blessing on the new nation of the United States were essential for the nation to succeed. Human effort, on its own, will produce little to no lasting effects in life. The logic is simple, but is missed by many.

I love the true story of Henry Ford who, as he drove alone to work one day through the Michigan countryside, came upon a man whose Model T Ford had broken down. The man was bent under the hood, trying to figure out what was wrong. Ford stopped and asked if he could take a look; in just a few seconds he had made an adjustment and gotten the car running again. The grateful owner said, “I’m amazed at your ability; you fixed my car so easily.” Ford laughed, “I ought to be able to fix it; I’m the one who designed it.” Since God designed humanity, the same is true with us. It is a simple thing for the Designer, when we finally remember to ask for His help, to make whatever adjustments are needed to fix whatever’s wrong with us.

“LORD, we again ask for You to make whatever adjustments are needed in our lives today. We do submit to You, knowing that only then will our efforts be lasting.”