"Who's Your Builder?"

Written by R. E. Bailes

A Builder You Can Trust


Today I want to take you to a psalm of David. This psalm is a psalm of "ma‛ălâh" ; meaning in the Hebrew a psalm that takes us to a higher place in our lives. In Psalm 127, the KJV translation says "of degrees" but "ma alah" is the Hebrew, which I believe we will be able to relate to better as we learn from this passage today. Let's read,

Psalm 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. 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.

I had been discussing with a friend the matter of remaining consistent in our parenting and how it is easy to give in when the children keep challenging our decisions and rules. The problem is that when we give in just once, they feel that they were able to shift our boundary and that makes them feel that they might be able to do it again and again. That is when their challenges start coming more often and with more enthusiasm! Have you already been experiencing this? Don't fret! There is a way to get through this and come out being the kind of parent that the Lord meant you to be! But first, let's look at the Lord's part in this equation!

What I'd like for us to learn today is what the Word says about the family that allows satan to move into their homes. I have heard people say so many times that their children are driving them crazy or taking over their home. The fact is that parents have allowed it to happen and I include myself in that group. Yes, I have done this before without even knowing I was doing it.

Once we have laid down a boundary we must maintain that boundary and not compromise on the decisions we have made based on our principles and moral beliefs. Let's look into the verse that we have just read and I want to look at the literal translation because it opened my eyes as I'm sure it will yours.

"Except the lord build the house" When I looked at the Hebrew I found that this translates to mean "Unless the Lord obtains the children of a family". How would the Lord obtain the children of a family? This means that the Lord would gain possession of the children as in a family adding a new member to their home. Let's keep going!

"they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." This is translated literally to mean "they toil in the ruin of the children: whether or not the Lord guards the city or place of encampment, the guard is on the lookout for the evil and destruction." Let's look at the next verse,

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

As I looked at the verse in the literal translation this is what I read, "It is evil to rise up early, to delay going to bed, to consume the grief: for this reason he gives those who He loves sleep."

I used to wonder why we had to sleep so much every day and now I know that it is to restore our strength to face the evil that is in the world. Is there any way to aviod the evil in our homes though? According to this passage there is and it isn't so hard to apply to our lives. It is simply a matter of turning our children to the Lord instead of things that will draw them further into evil and destruction.

We have to watch what they are signing into on the internet, what they are watching on tv, who they are making as heroes and idols, who they are hanging out with and who is teaching them in school, to name a few.

If you are feeling weary in well doing and wonder if it's worth it sometimes, let's read this last passage,

Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

"Children are an heritage of the Lord" in the Hebrew literally means "Children are occupied of the Lord:" and they are given to us as a reward or a benefit. When we think about something being occupied we usually think of it as being taken. Children are taken by the Lord and we must let them know while they are young just how important they are to God.

Going back to the beginning of Psalms 127, we must remember as parents, if the Lord does not "bânâh bayith" , that we "‛âmal shâv'". The literal Hebrew translation is "if the Lord does not obtain children in the family or home, that they toil or work evil and destruction that then obtains the children." As I thought about this a little further, I thought about how the Hebrew dictionary had used the word "obtain children" and I realized that in order to obtain something, you are actually taking hold of it.

So, how would evil and destruction take hold of our children if we keep them within the safety of those boundries we have laid down for them? Wouldn't we be safe to say that we too need to remain in the boundaries of the lord in order for Him to guard our families in the night when we all are sleeping. You could also apply this to when we are not with our children and they are out there on their own where we cannot protect them.

Turn to the Lord and the Lord will guard your camp as your watchman which is in the Hebrew "shâmar", meaning : properly to hedge about (as with thorns), that is, guard; generally to protect, attend to, etc.: - beware, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep (-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch (-man).

Turn from the Lord and His guard is in "shâv' " which in the Strong's Hebrew & Greek Dictonary means : the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjectively), uselessness (as deceptive, objectively; also adverbially in vain): - false (-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.

Is the Lord guarding your family or are they allowed to pursue destructive interest of their own as the guard of the city watches over and protects them in vain. Are you getting the message that David intended for us here; to lift us higher in our knowledge and understanding concerning our families and boundaries?

This Psalm of David was called "shiyr ma‛ălâh" pronounced sheer mah-al-aw'; meaning "A Song of a Journey that is Progressing Higher!"

I felt that this was truly an enlightening passage and it helped me with my understanding as a parent when it comes my home.

I realized how the Lord wants for us to live with our families under His protection so that we can enjoy His heritance and benefits as Christian Parents today!

There is a great book called "Boundaries" that is written by Christian authors Dr. Henry Cloud and John Townsend. It is a great book for additional guidance in undersanding the difference that boundaries can make in every relationship. When to say "Yes" and when to say "No".

You can go directly to their website through the following website domain link: http://www.cloudtownsendstore.com/boundariesbook1.html

Prayer Requests - Please submit requests to be added to the Prayer for Parent link by emailing me directly.

Send all emails to: parentsdailypost@yahoo.com

"Thank You!"
I just want to take this opportunity to say "Thank You!" to those who have given in financial support of this ministry. Every gift, great or small, is a blessing in making it possible to continue in this ministry. Your financial gifts help make it possible to invest more time towards taking this ministry forward in alignment with God's purpose. I have been receiving emails regularly, giving testimony of how this ministry through the Word has encouraged and uplifted people going through various types of crisis in their lives. Let's all just "Praise the Lord"!