Title: Guiding Arrows
Theme: To show how Father’s and parents guide their children (natural born or organically formed) to a dependence and trust in God.
Text: Psalms 127
(Psalms 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.
“The first two verses of Psalm 127 are about worrying over the future. First, there is the concern for the house and for the city. The person who is worried can’t sleep and stays awake at night like the watchman trying to guard and protect a city that is too big for him. The person referenced in this verse is presented as one who eats the bread of sorrows, sits up late, and rises early due to his restlessness.
The first word of the chapter is revealing. The word is “unless,” and it unravels and settles the whole issue of worry. Unless the Lord build the house and unless the Lord guards the city, all the work is vain.
Many people have worried about whether or not the work they built with their own hands would outlast them. Will those who follow me treasure my work? Will the next generation appreciate the price that was paid for it? Will those who inherit it see and understand its values, or will they just see it as an asset or steppingstone for their own desires? All of these are legitimate concerns that pass through the mind of a generation that is finishing their work and needs or wishes to hand it to another. What will happen to the house and the city that I helped build? However, it is just like the Lord to not just identify a problem, but offer a solution as well – and so He does in the following verse.” From Bows and Arrows by Bryan Cutshall pp. 14 - 15
First Building and second guarding.
First, we build up over time. We collect. We put together what we think is necessary to survive. It may be tools or materials.
Second, we guard. We put locks on things we collect so they can stay secure. Even today we put cameras so we can make sure they are secure. The cameras don’t secure the items but they deter.
There is a problem. We cannot be there 24/7. So, in this passage we see “concern” and “worry”. Concern of whether what I built is strong enough.
Wise and foolish builder
Matthew 7:24-27 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: (25) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. (26) But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: (27) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
When we moved to Andrews the idea of building and a strong foundation was important because of what happened 1989 when hurricane Hugo came through. It did so much damage to houses. Now everything is made to withstand this. Even if it was almost 30 years earlier.
Then it all has to be guarded. Thieves can break in a steal what we have. Sell what we own for a fraction of what we paid for it.
So one stays up late worrying about what we have collected and trying to protect it.
What is the solution? Let the Lord build it. The word Lord here is capitalized in most Bibles because it means Jehovah – the self-existent one.
If not then we build it in “vain” – waste. Useless for the future.
Secret: This is more than just building and collections. This is family. This is life in general. Building up a generation that will respect what we have built.
(Psalms 127:3) 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;
This is not nor should be limited to our natural born children but everyone of us has the opportunity to pour into the next generation to help them build a good foundation.
I have seen it over and over again where a person does not realize the influence that that have over the next generation. Yet they are influencing them.
What an opportunity to teach them respect. To teach them the cost of what it took.
Arrows in the hands
We are the bows and those whom God gives us are the arrows.
Bows have to be strong. Bows have to be taken care of. Bows have to be flexible.
Arrows have to be guided. Arrows have to be prepared.
Fletching – Love, God and values.
They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Have you seen my servant Job?
Job 1:8 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"
When we enemy comes I don’t have to be afraid because I have equipped my family with the ability to protect themselves.
There is going to be a time when they will fight their demons. We cannot fight their demons for them. It may be the demon of doubt. It may be the demon of self-worth. It may be the demon of . . . We cannot fight that for them.
Conclusion
Who are your arrows? Not just children but generation.
