its builders labour in vain.
Psalm 127:1
Human
beings are builders. From the early pages of scripture we learn about building.
Cain built a city named Enoch. (Gen. 4:17). Houses, an ark, a tower,
storehouses, wells, altars, walls, cities, and temples are the literal
buildings mentioned in scripture. But there are figurative buildings as well:
families and nations to name two.
Today
we talk about building other things: a resume; a profile, or a community. It is
a metaphor that speaks to creating something that is organic. These buildings
become representative of who we are and are often used as identity markers.
Where
does this desire to build come from? As image bearers of God we can trace our
yearning for building to the Master Builder. He laid the earth’s foundations
(Job 38:4). Not only is he the builder, but also architect of his city (Heb
11:10). Quite simply, God is the builder of everything (Heb 3:4).
This
verse from Psalm 127 tells us that in order to build anything of value it
requires both God and humans building together. That is how the tabernacle was
constructed. God was the designer and architect: the blueprints are laid out in
detail in the pages of Exodus. And when completed it was filled with God’s
glory (Ex. 40:34-35).
Building
is a metaphor used in Scripture to describe how we are to build. But how do we
discover the blueprints? First, we start with the foundation, which Paul
reminds us is Jesus Christ himself (1 Cor. 3:11). Jesus is the cornerstone of a
foundation that is secure. As promised in Isaiah, those who trust in this
precious cornerstone will never be dismayed, they have no need to panic (Isa 28:16).
The
wise human builder is the one who both hears and puts into practice Jesus’
teachings (Matt. 7:24). As listening and obedient followers of Jesus we build
with gold, silver and precious stones that will reveal the quality of a
building in the Day of Jesus Christ and for which a reward is promised.
Psalm
127:1 is etched into the ceremonial cornerstone of Redeemer’s academic
building. It serves as a reminder to us all that God’s glory is revealed when
we build on Jesus the Cornerstone and we labour by hearing and obeying what He taught
us.
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