Building The Lord’s House

There was once a story in the Oregonian, Portland’s morning newspaper, of a man who had helped construct a Roman Catholic Church in Mexico. He used inferior materials in order to make more money. At the dedication of the building, the roof collapsed, killing many of the worshipers including the contractor’s brother who was the priest.(1) The contractor built the church with selfish motives and not out of Christ-like generosity; and, therefore, his work fell apart.

Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” If we try to build anything – physical or spiritual – apart from seeking God’s guidance and wisdom, then our labor will be in vain. If we try to serve the Lord through selfish motives, then whatever we set our hand to will fall apart. If we try to build a thriving ministry, or do anything in the Lord’s name when we’re in some kind of unhealthy spiritual condition, then our plans are sure to fail.

This being said, any church that operates with intentions and plans not sanctioned by the Lord will promote an unhealthy environment where people feel insecure and anxious. If the church is going to promote abundant life and begin attracting people, then it must become more than just a physical structure; it must be seen as a house, or rather, a “home.” It must become a place where people feel safe, and where they find release from the difficulties of life.

In our message this morning, we’re going to come to an understanding of the biblical definition of a house; and we’ll also discover how to properly build a spiritual home that will promote a secure atmosphere leading to a deeper trust in God, more meaningful fellowship, and ultimately abundant life in the Lord.

Building a Spiritual House (Psalm 127:1-5)

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. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat of the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. 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).

This chapter of Psalm portrays the building of a spiritual house. So, what’s the meaning of a house in this passage, and what message did Solomon wish to portray (Note: My Bible has a heading, calling this chapter “A Song of Ascents of Solomon”)? Harper’s Bible Commentary says that “throughout the Bible, to build a house meant to have a family. If the Lord does not give children, then every effort at building a home is useless.”(2) The Wycliffe Bible Commentary says,

Joy and protection are pictured here as the results of fruitfulness in the bearing and rearing of children. Especially important are the sons of a man’s youth, who can protect him and plead his cause, in his old age, against his adversaries in the local court of justice inside the city gate.(3)

Building a house in this passage is a reference to building a family. So, the contextual application is that if we worry and fret about how we’re going to grow and raise our family, then we won’t have any peace in our life. If, however, we trust God to take care of it, then our burdens will be lifted and we’ll find rest for our soul.

For example, the Lord will provide the children we need to take care of the household, the farming, the hunting, or whatever needs there are that have to be met; and we can stand by and reap the rewards with confidence. We get into trouble when we, like Abram and Sarai, try to make our family grow through our own self-effort, a mistake that’s observed in Genesis chapter 16.

Now, Matthew Henry says that Psalm 127 can also be seen as representing a “ministry” that we attempt to grow or lead.(4) The book of Hebrews provides an example of the house as a ministry, as in a church or congregation of believers. Hebrews 3:4-5 says, “For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant.”

Moses was faithful to lead the Israelites according to God’s will, because he trusted that the congregation – or “his house” (v. 5) – was being built and guided by the Lord. The house portrayed in Hebrews chapter three refers to the family of God, or the assembly of the Lord’s own devoted followers.