PSALM 127

1 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. 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. 2 [It is] vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; [For] so He gives His beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children [are] a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb [is] a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So [are] the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy [is] the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

PSALM 127:1-5

RAISE YOUR KIDS TO LET THEM GO!

I first really came to this Psalm years ago before I was married. I was intentionally hanging out with another young man who was growing in the Lord. We were taking a shot at discipleship and accountability to grow in our relationship with God. We didn’t really know a lot about what we were doing, but we were fumbling our way through it. One of the things we decided to do was to memorize scripture. Somehow we came to this passage and we started to see who cold memorize it first. I was so saturated in these verses that by the time it came time for him to marry his sweetheart that these were the words of blessing I found for his family. Then when I got married they become words of blessing on mine. I said them when I first held each of my children and I held them up to the Lord and offered them to Him. (They are never really ours, we are just stewards you know).

There is lots to say about this Psalm, but I’ll keep it brief. I’ve shared about this Psalm several years ago on this blog before.

Children are like arrows. I joke with my older kid in moments of tension between us that its supposed to be this way for now, because God is preparing her to go out from among us and into the world. But not to worry, I am doing my best to shape her and I won’t let her go until it’s time. Our kids were never meant to be kept but to be let go or released into the world, but not without purpose. They are to be aimed, sharpened, honed, and prepared for the task at hand.

What a big job it is to raise a child and what a blessing each child is. We are all shaping our kids for something. Whether we are intentional or not. Where they end up usually has something to do with how and when we let them go. Are they ready to face the world ahead? Do they know how to discern what is going on?

Another part about this passage that always seems to bless me is the part about how the Lord blesses us with sleep. It’s a blessing to close my eyes at night even when the world is full of anxiety and know that the Lord watches over his sheep. If I belong to Him, no matter what comes my way, I am confident that God watches over us. I wrote a little bit about anxiety and sleep before on this blog when I was going through Philippians. Can you imagine the peace Paul had even while chained next to a Roman guard awaiting your possible execution?

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for this short Psalm today. Children are a blessing! Whatever we put our hands to, if you are not in it, it is in vain. So let us seek after you. Let us follow you and we pray even now for your kingdom to come and your will to be done. Oh, what peace is ours when we pray that way, When we trust you with our anxieties and see your will. We aknowledge that children are a blessing and a responsibility. Let us be dilligent to shape the lives of our kids in ways that bring you honor and glory. Help us to balance the tension as children grow older and become ready to leave the home. Give us grace in knowing when to let go, when to hold on just a while longer. We thank you Lord for your incredible mercy and grace! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.