Thoughts for the Day

Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labour in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city,
the guard keeps watch in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives sleep to his beloved.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

There are some fables that stay in your mind. 'The Three Little Pigs' is one of them. First seen in the 1890s it's believed to date back to a story from Devon about three little pixies and a fox - not as exciting as three little pigs and a wolf, perhaps. If you haven't heard the fable well the pigs hide in their houses to avoid being eaten by the wolf, but the first and second houses, made of straw and sticks, get blown down, after the wolf declares "I will huff and I will puff, and I will blow your house down!" However, the third pig builds his house of bricks and all three pigs survive in it.

A famous breakfast cereal once used the tale as an advert. The wolf blows down the first two houses and then turns promptly to do the same to the house of brick, because "He's had his Weetabix"! My mother swore I only lived because of this cereal, so it appealed to me!

To the more serious, Psalm 127 is one of the 'Psalms of Ascent' sung as pilgrims made their way up the steep valley from Jericho to Jerusalem (the site for the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10.25-37), and from there to the Temple to worship God. It was likely written by King Solomon. The key word "house" carries a double meaning, since in the Hebrew scriptures (our Old Testament) the word can be used of a building or of a family. Either way when we involve God in our planning and enterprise success is much more likely. It's like a brick house rather than a house made of straw!

Heavenly Father,
help us to see that we need to involve
You in everything we do,
so that You fill the heart of our home
and our life with Your presence.
May we turn to You each day
with thankfulness and praise
and commit our lives afresh to You.
Amen.