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Psalm 127:2a - Leave God Out Of The Picture And Suffer The Consequences!

Psalm 127:2 (NLT) It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Psalm 127:2 (CWR) It is useless to get up early or stay up late, anxiously worrying about the next meal. He will provide, and trusting Him helps those who love Him to sleep well.

INTRODUCTION

God is not against human effort. Hard work honors God (Proverbs 31:10-29). But working to the exclusion of rest or the neglect of family ruins both health and relationships and may be a cover-up for an inability to trust God to provide for our needs. Everyone needs adequate rest and times of spiritual refreshment. On the other hand, this verse does not excuse laziness (Proverbs 18:9). Be careful to maintain a balance: Work hard while trusting God, and also rest while trusting him. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

First Things First
   When you're in quiet moments, what occupies your thoughts? When you're making your schedule for the week, what gets first priority on the calendar? When you wake up, what's on your mind? These are all strong barometers of what your priorities are, and if your attention is consumed by work, errands, or personal goals, then it's a telling sign your priorities may be out of alignment.
   It's good to work toward admirable goals, but when what your desire supersedes your affection for your Creator, even the most holy acts can become corrupted. Whose glory are you working for today? Before you pursue your earthly ambitions, reorient your thoughts and priorities around God's love. Living in constant prayer and admiration, you'll find that all other tasks fall into place. As you deepen your trust in Him, you will feel confident walking away from a lifestyle of overachieving and learn to move toward a lifestyle of rest.
   Without Him, all work is in vain. With Him, you'll find eternal purpose with everything you do. Surrender your time and thoughts to Him and learn a new definition of abundance.
   Dear God, before I take another breath, I put You first. More than anything else, You are my top priority. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio]

COMMENTARY

Do Less So You Can Do More
   The Bible says in Mark 12:30, "You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength" (NLT). Another way to say it is this: Love God with all your talk, all your feelings, all your thinking, and all your acting. God shaped you to primarily be a talker, feeler, thinker, or doer.
   "Doers" love God with their strength. They are the energetic activists of life - the achievers, the accomplishers, the workers, and the people who push things forward and make things happen in the practical sense of life.
   What is the purpose of "doers" in the world?
   The world needs contribution. We don't just need communication, compassion, and consideration. We've got to get to work and do it! We need people with initiative, energy, action, and a bias for achievement.
   But we all have flaws, and for doers, it's overwork. Doers are always working. They never stop to think, and they certainly don't stop to feel. They are always busy!
   God says in Psalm 127:2, "It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?" (MSG). If you are a doer, that would be a good verse to put up on the mirror in your bathroom. God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.
   Some of you need to do less. Not less for God, but less in other areas so you'll have more time to do what matters most.
   The Bible says that when you become a believer, God makes you a new person inside: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).
   When you become a believer, your past is forgiven, you have a reason for living, and you have a home in heaven. Let me tell you something that doesn't change when you come to Christ: Your personality doesn't change. God doesn't slow you down when you come to him. He just changes your direction. In fact, he wants to empower you. Remember, you got your personality from him.
   God doesn't want to make you a clone of everybody else in the way that you worship and serve and love him. He wants you to serve him with your personality. Not only that, but he will strengthen your personality, not dampen it. He's going to make you more you than you've ever been before. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Psalm 127:1-2 - Leave God Out Of The Picture And Suffer The Consequences!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240414-1025.html
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230423-0936.html

Matthew 11:28 - The Invitation Of All Invitations.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230309-0843.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/