“He Gives His Beloved Sleep” (Ps 127)

Triumphant Resting in Christ

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.

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;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. (vs1-5)

The Lord blesses His people with fruitfulness, and we trust Him for everything. We can’t do anything spiritual ourselves, so we seek His way, by faith. We trust Him to do what we need.  He says, “For without Me, you can do nothing”.

Take the low seat and be cared for by God. He will exalt you. He says, “But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:10-11).  You have no power or wisdom in yourself. Admit it, and He’ll be wisdom and power in the gospel for you (1 Cor 1:30-31). He’ll enable you to do what you can’t do any other way.

It is not wise to worry and fret, as if this impresses God or makes Him change (vs1-2). He says, “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. 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.”   He cares for you, so cast your burdens upon Him, not in a way where you’re irresponsible, but in prayer and faith, saying, “Care for me.  I’m looking to You.  I have no other hope”, and He’ll care for you indeed (1 Pet 5:5-7).  Labor, but by faith.  Preach, but do it in love, preaching Christ in the text as He reveals Himself, and expecting blessings from God.  Seek not your own glory, for He doesn’t bless this.  It is better to suffer than to prosper our own way.  Rest in His way, so that you can be saved.

Don’t deceive yourself in self-confidence, but lean upon God continually, fearing the Lord, and yet coming to Him to keep you from falling.

He will do all that He says, and those who trust Him, will see the fruit (Ps 127:3-5). He says, “Behold, children are an inheritance from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior [blessings], so are the children of one’s youth [strength].  Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate [shall prove the believer knows God].”  Children are used here to illustrate God’s blessing upon His people, as He gives us joy, rewards us, and causes our rest to prosper.  Be filled with this Spirit, and not your own power and might.  Glorify God in your rest, so that He may save you in His love, faithfulness, and power.