This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on June 22nd 2025 by Donald. For the audio & video please click here. For the worship please click here.
Unless the Lord Builds the House
Why Dedication to God
Changes Everything
In a world that runs on ambition, deadlines, and self-made
success, the ancient wisdom of Psalm 127 reminds us of a deeper truth: “Unless
the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”
This verse, shared during a recent Sunday sermon, reveals a
profound and often overlooked principle — true significance is found not in
what we build, but in who builds with us. Whether it's our careers,
families, dreams, or homes, when God isn’t at the foundation, all our striving
is ultimately empty.
Dedication Is More Than a Ceremony
We often associate “dedication” with a one-time event — a
child’s dedication, a wedding, or a church service. But real dedication is
daily. It’s choosing to say, “God, take my time, my resources, my talents — all
of it is Yours.”
That dedication ripples through generations. It’s not just
about the present moment, but about planting seeds for a legacy built on God’s
truth.
The Illusion of Control
Modern life tempts us to believe that we’re the masters of
our fate. We are encouraged to optimize, hustle, and “build our brand.” But as
the speaker pointed out, “The lives we create for ourselves may keep others
out,” boxing us into small, self-centred worlds.
Yet storms will come. And when they do, no amount of wealth,
skill, or strategic planning will sustain us unless we’ve built on the
unshakable foundation of God.
When God Builds, There’s Rest
Psalm 127 also speaks of God giving His beloved sleep.
Not just physical rest, but peace of heart — a gift in a world full of anxious
toil.
Rather than chasing vanity or success for its own sake,
we’re invited to hand our ambitions to God. Like the boy who gave his five
loaves and two fish, what we offer may seem small, but in God’s hands, it
multiplies beyond our imagination.
A Call to Rethink What Matters
Is our life centred around God, or have we subtly adopted
the world’s “me-first” ideology? Are we pursuing success in things that, in the
end, don’t matter?
William Carey once said, “I’m not afraid of failure. I’m
afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.” That’s the invitation:
to shift our focus from vanity to purpose, from self-building to God-building.
So today, pause. Reflect. Ask yourself — who’s building your
house?
In a world rushing toward success, wealth, and recognition,
there is a quiet yet powerful truth that echoes from the words of Psalm 127: “Unless
the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.”
This message was at the heart of a recent sermon — one that
not only challenged the ideals of modern life but called us back to a life of eternal
significance, centred on God, relationships, and legacy.
Don’t Just Build — Let God Build
We all build something: careers, homes, reputations, and
dreams. But the speaker reminded us that unless God is at the centre of it,
all our labour ends up in anxious striving. True rest comes not from what we
accomplish, but from knowing that God is in control.
“Rest is a weapon,” he said. “The enemy hates it because he
wants you stressed and occupied.”
When we trust God, we gain more than peace — we gain
purpose. Even in chaos, we don’t have to act out of control, because our anchor
is secure.
From Vanity to Value
In the age of likes, hustle, and superficial wins, the
question we must ask is: What truly matters?
- Are
we giving our best hours to work while our children receive our leftovers?
- Are
we present with those we love, or simply performing life beside them?
- Are
we building for ourselves, or leaving behind something worth inheriting?
True wealth isn’t in assets — it’s in relationships,
in time invested, and in a life marked by faithfulness.
Children: Not Just Our Future, But God’s Gift
Psalm 127 describes children as “a heritage from the Lord…
like arrows in the hands of a warrior.” They are not interruptions to our
legacy — they are our legacy.
“Every child has the potential to inherit the kingdom of
heaven… and it’s our responsibility to prepare them for it.”
Too often we treat children as background noise, burdens to
manage, or projects to fix. Instead, the speaker challenged us to see every
child as a carrier of God’s vision — one who must be shaped with love, not
just correction.
- Do
you notice the children in your life?
- Are
you building a legacy they can build upon?
- Are
you training them in the way of the Lord — not just with your words, but
with your life?
Because in the end, children learn more from what we are
than what we say.
Legacy Isn’t Luxury — It’s Discipleship
We spend our lives trying to leave behind fortunes and fame.
But let us always remember this:
“The world leaves behind materialistic and atheistic
ideologies. But God calls us to leave behind moral and spiritual foundations.”
What are we really passing on? Wealth that fades, or a faith
that lasts. Are we raising kids who know how to calculate price — or value?
Let’s teach them what matters:
- How
to walk with integrity.
- How
to love deeply.
- How
to seek God above all else.
Final Reflection: A Life Dedicated to God
It is not just about children or parenting — it is about living
a dedicated life. A life where every relationship, every choice, and every
dream are laid at God’s feet.
“Life is not all about children. But it is all about living
for God.”
And in doing that, we will leave behind more than memories.
We will leave behind a legacy of faith — one that shapes generations.
Are you building a house God can dwell in? Or one built
in vain?
As we return to our daily routines, let us pause and pray:
“Lord, build my life. Help me invest in what matters. Let my legacy be
shaped by Your hands, not mine.”
