Read the Psalm

As we move from Psalm 126, we may be left with the question: how do I know if I am sowing in the right things? Psalm 127, attributed to Solomon, expects this question and shapes a prayer around a response.

It possible that the psalm is attributed to Solomon because of the similarity with what he wrote in Ecclesiastes. “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2–5) These familiar words express the reality that everything in life is vanity, or literally “vapor.” Nothing we do in this life has eternal substance to it in or of itself. Life comes and goes like a morning fog that lifts by noon. The writer of Ecclesiastes goes on to say that the vaporous quality of life is unable to satisfy the human soul.

Psalm 127 echoes this sentiment and puts it in prayer with the words “in vain.” However, there is a caveat given: unless the Lord. If the Lord is the one who initiates and leads the activity (e.g., building a house or watching a city), our activity is not in vain … meaning that it is possible for our activities in life to have meaning and substance as well as bring satisfaction. 

In one sense, nothing matters. Nothing is significant. In another, everything can matter and have deep significance when it is engaged with the Lord. Our sowing (the stewardship of our lives) is purposeful and meaningful when we are following along with what God is inviting. This gives a deep sense of clarity, and at the same time opens us to the need to seek the Lord and know His heart. In what ways is He involved? What is He doing?

The letter of James captures these themes as well as a challenge:

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13–15)

“If the Lord wills” invites us to seek the Lord’s will. One’s will is their heart – their desire. How do we understand the Lord’s will? Ephesians 5:17-18 gives us some help: “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” We understand or comprehend the will of the Lord as we are led by the Spirit. This suggests a listening kind of prayer in which we seek to be attentive to the Lord’s presence and activity. The assumption is that the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts. We have a sense (an awareness) given by the Spirit to understand the Lord’s will (heart). 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 16 furthers this:

“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God … For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

We have the mind of Christ! Because of our union with Christ, we have an intimacy with Him that involves access to His thoughts … His heart, His will. All that we do can be with Him and not “in vain.” This is joy and privilege as well as a mind-blowing reality.

God is in all things. Our discernment is to understand how … to ask the questions: God, what are you up to? What are you inviting me to be and do? To ensure that we actually operate this way, seeking God must take priority over we do and the decisions we make. 

Typically, in life, we tend to make decisions and plans and then ask God to help or bless us in some way. “Unless the Lord” invites us to seek God first in all things – to know His heart and His ways before we act. This will often slow us down and perhaps make us inefficient by some standards, but it will ensure that our ways are in step with the Spirit of God. As we stay in step with the Spirit, the fruit of our lives is love, joy, peace, patience, etc. 

Reflection questions: in what areas of life do you sense that you need to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33)? Take a few minutes and simply ask the Lord speak to your heart – showing you how He is at work in the situations of your life. Prayer: Lord, truly, may I seek You first. In Your mercy, may I follow You lead in all things and be involved in the ways You are inviting. Amen.