Psalm 127:1-2 – “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.
² It is vain for you to rise early, to retire late, to eat the bread of anxious labors— for He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.”  Amplified

                        Jesus stated clearly regarding the Church that it is His and He is the chief builder. Paul identified himself and other apostles as ‘wise master builders’ and we are told that we are to be ‘laborers together with the Lord.’  Therefore, it is clear that we have a responsibility in building the church but the ultimate source is THE LORD.  Without Him, we can truly do nothing lasting.  We can build houses but they will be on shifting sand.  We can build ministries but they become dependent on personality and whims.  We can build political alliances but they wither in the heat of the battle UNLESS the LORD is doing the building and we are following His instructions.  The key, for me, is WHO IS BUILDING the House, GUARDING the City, and GRANTING the Peace.

In Proverbs 16 we find this addressed in a different way.  We read about the plans of the heart belonging to the individual and that most people believe their motives are pure.  However, when we come under God’s spotlight He weighs our motives and it is only as we commit our plans to Him that they can become established positively.  There is an amazing promise in that chapter that says, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  That is both encouraging and disturbing because we have all had times when we were truly attempting to follow the LORD and our enemies were anything but at peace with us.  In those times, I have done some serious introspection and examination of my heart, actions, and motives.  I also realize that the devil never makes a non-aggression pact that he keeps so we dare not take an isolated passage and shape our entire doctrine but we should take heart that if we are doing what God wants, when God wants it, the way God wants it and with the right motives we can claim that passage and expect it to be a reality in our lives.

In America, we have and are going through some strained times politically, relationally, and facing difficulty in many areas.  We are a divided nation and people and even among those who profess to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is division politically.  The divide has caused people to form groups, sects, camps, and cliques and virtually go to war with each other and labor tirelessly to achieve their objectives.  What we, believers, must always remember is the truth of this Psalm and recall the declaration of Daniel that it is God who ‘sets up kings and takes them down.’  I do not believe that all we are to do in life, any aspect is simply WAIT on the Lord to do it for us.  I believe that faith without works is dead or non-productive.  Yet, I believe that our first principle must be GOD. We must acknowledge His person, power, purpose, and presence and then we SEEK HIS FACE to get our marching orders.  We find out WHAT He wants, HOW He wants it WHEN He wants it, and WHERE He wants it and THEN we put on the Whole Armor of God and pull down the strongholds utilizing the spiritual weapons of warfare.  Incorporated in the spiritual battle we will find that we must do things in the natural to ‘walk out’ His promises and purposes in our lives.  We are ‘laborers together’ with Him not sitting as birds in the wilderness waiting to be fed.

I heard a young preacher declare once, “I don’t study or prepare my sermons, I just open my mouth and God fills it.”  I thought, “Yeah, with flies.”  In life, there is preparation and preparation always precedes blessing.  Remember the directive of Elisha in 2 Kings 3 where he told Jehoshaphat and the others, “make this valley full of ditches?”  Then next morning the ditches were full of water but the enemy saw it as blood and thought they had an easy victory.  Had they not made the valley full of ditches there would have been no water and not perception by the enemy that led to victory.  Preparation preceded Blessing and Victory! 

We are to acknowledge God first and foremost, then SEEK HIS FACE and after we have HEARD from Him we go into action.  We need to get our focus right and then our actions can be in harmony with the Purposes and Plan of God and He will establish them!

God, bless you richly as you change your focus and receive your blessing!

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  NASU

This is an often quoted passage familiar to virtually everyone in Christendom.  I read it like I read Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God…”  Here the first words are an injunction with promise but imperative if we are going to truly be and receive all God desires for us.  “BUT SEEK FIRST…”  What are we enjoined to do?  Seek.  When are we to seek?  First.  What are we to seek?  God, His Kingdom, and Righteousness.  That is simple, right?  But, in reality, it is frequently not the ‘first practice’ of believers.

How many times have you waited until you were desperate to SEEK HIM?  Probably more often than you or I truly want to admit.  Sometimes we declare that we are SEEKING HIM when we are ‘seeking answers’ not necessarily HIM, His Kingdom, or His Righteousness.  We have a problem or need and we desire an answer.  Our prayers are often ‘self-centered’ and ‘self-serving’ rather than SEEKING HIM.  Too often, I have failed in this, even knowing that HE IS THE ANSWER and if I FIND HIM, I also find the answer to my question, plight, problem, or need.  The solution is not necessarily in me getting something externally but developing a relationship with Him and the IN HIM, I am able to live and move and have my being.

I would never suggest we omit the last part of the verse for it is very important.  God says, that if we SEEK FIRST His Kingdom and His Righteousness, in that hungering and thirsting, what we need is added or granted to us.  I asked the question on social media some time back, “HOW PASSIONATE ARE WE FOR GOD?”  That was not a question of condemnation or judgment but a quickening of the Holy Spirit to my own heart.  What is our passion level?  How earnestly are we SEEKING HIM?  How desperately are we SEEKING HIM?  How important is it to us to FIND HIM, His kingdom, and righteousness?  How important is His Presence in our lives and our daily dealings?  I am reminded of Israel, in the wilderness, and their rebellion.  God said to Moses in Exodus 33, “…Depart, go up from here, you and the people you have brought up from the land of Egypt, to the of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘ To your descendants I will give it.’ 2 “I will send an angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. 3 “Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way.”  Picture in your mind, God speaking to Moses and saying, “I’m done with you and this people.”

When Moses relayed the words of God to the people they went into mourning.  Then, God comes back to Moses and warned them that were He to come into their midst He would destroy them because of their obstinance.  Moses was moved so deeply he engaged in intercession for the people and rehearsed their journey to God.  He finally declared in (v.15), “…if Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here…”  Simply, Moses said, “God if your presence, your person does not go with us, leave us here to die.”  That is passion for God and desperation for Him.  God said, “My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest.” 

In today’s world, we can easily become sidetracked and distracted with the affairs of life from the social, economic, relational, to the political and fail to SEEK FIRST that which is most important.  I do not suggest we leave the others unattended but that the PASSION OF OUR HEARTS and the FIRST SEEKING of our hearts is GOD.  Lord, help us to be consumed with PASSION FOR YOU!   I desire that in my own life and pray for it in the lives of all to whom I now speak.  Send the Fire of Your Spirit and stir up in us a desire that burns white-hot for You!

May the Lord kindle your passion, guard your hearts and guide your steps today and each day of your earthly journey.  BLESSINGS!