An Undertow Called "Unless"

Unless the LORD builds the house, 

they labor in vain who build it; 

Unless the LORD guards the city, 

the watchman keeps awake in vain. 

It is vain for you to rise up early, 

to retire late, 

to eat the bread of painful labors; 

For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. 

Psalm 127:1-2 

For those who don't know, I have had the privilege to intern with Precept Ministries International this summer -- something I hope to process through and impart more about later. The most incumbent thing to know at this point is that the interns have spent a large portion of time since May 21 studying the Bible independently, together, with the leadership team over us, and learning how to disciple others to do the same. 

In the midst of this painful but endearing sanctification process, many dark beasts have lurked, and pounced, waiting to devour. Beasts like fear lies inadequacy miscommunication pride selfishness confusion have sought to destroy us all. 

Yet the theme of the summer has been God's sovereignty and our obligation to respond with obedience to Christ. I am incapable of fully chewing that truth, People. 

                                            Seriously though, 

                                                                            human enamel was not made to chew rocks. 

Yet our Savior is a living stone (II Peter 2:4)

                                                                            human mouths were not made to ingest fire. 

Yet our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29)                                             

How do we commune or fellowship with this God? Let alone converse with Him?? 

It is humanly impossible. And, that's kind of the point. 

One of the many things the Lord has been patiently teaching me this summer is that my relationship with Him literally cannot depend on any of my inabilities or abilities. And it doesn't. There is a spiritual reality in the heavenly places; no lie that I believe can ever change that. 

I do my God a disservice when I do not live in light of that reality. 

Yet His grace is still there. 

I can't shake it. 

So, here I am: typing in Starbucks, dripping tea-sweat and tears on my prayers to Jesus about life, life decisions, and death. As I scrawl messy cursive with my nerve-sick hands, I feel the strong undertow of Love. 

"Unless the LORD builds the house,

they labor in vain who build it"

When God builds the house, labor is not in vain. When God builds, His workers' deeds are fruitful. But that doesn't mean the construction site isn't messy, confusing or dangerous.  

"Unless the LORD guards the city, 

the watchman keeps awake in vain."

When God guards the city, it doesn't matter what measures of self-protection are taken. No apocalyptic plan, security alarm, gate, lock, or door secures. No mask, constructed self-image, evasive comment or hardness of heart guards. 

These couplets contrast the LORD's work and man's work. 

Everything hinges on "unless," whether or not the living God of Creation will continue to actively work in the constructive efforts of people, of physical things like houses, or invisible things like security. 

It's a hard thing to swallow: that without the LORD's intervention we work without purpose or protection. Honestly, some days I really don't like that truth. 

But if we step away from the preoccupation of how that makes us feel 

                                                                                                                   and return to our work, then we have a really fantastic view of what the LORD is building and guarding in our midst.

Even in scrambled letter-heap sacrifices. Even in Starbucks.