A LORD-BUILT HOUSE
Psalm 127:1
“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”
Several times I have conducted a choir
anthem by Roger Lentz entitled, A Lord-built House. The song is
based on Psalm 127:1. That got me thinking . . . it occurs to me that, if you
want to build a quality building, there are three things of great
importance. First, you must build on a quality foundation.
Second, you need to have a quality builder. And third, you have to
use quality materials.
The
apostle Paul said: “No one can lay any foundation other than the one already
laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:11). Well of course
people build all kinds of things on all kinds of foundations. But Paul
was speaking particularly of the church. And the church MUST be built
upon the person and work of Jesus. In Him alone the church finds its purpose,
its provision, and its power!
I guess
we all need to be reminded at times – this might be particularly true of
pastors – that we don’t and can’t build the church. It is Christ’s body
and He is its builder. Jesus said: “I will build my church; and the
gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18). The One
who put the stars in their places is also the architect on this project. The
One who formed the earth and put the land and seas in their proper places is
supplying our materials. The one who called light from darkness is supplying
the power at the work-site.
And we
always need to remember that the church isn’t a building. It can’t be
built with bricks and mortar. You and me, our neighbors, our friends, and
our children; these are the materials that Christ uses to build His
church. This is what Peter meant when he said: “You also, like living
stones, are being built into a spiritual house . . .” (1 Pet.
2:5). Believer, you have been chosen, and saved, and called for just this
purpose; perfectly shaped and fitted to the particular need and time and
place.
I agree with Roger Lentz, “I wanna live in a Lord-built house!”
Pastor Keith Andrews