Exceptions Apply!
Exceptions Apply!
Psalm 127:2 “It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil–for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.” (AMP) Focus on the key phrases: vain, rise up early – take rest late, anxious toil, blessings in sleep.
All of us must work with all of our might as unto the Lord to glorify Him in all we do. Nevertheless, God also desires us to take rest and spend more time in our relationship WITH Him than in our duties FOR Him. It is easy to get so caught up in trying to meet goals and keep deadlines that we end up doing more anxious toiling than accomplishing eternal results.
Why does Psalm 127 use the word ‘vain’? Because arising early and taking rest late leads us into a pattern of working out of natural strength in an effort to accomplish a supernatural work. Instead, allowing yourself to be physically rested will enable you to more clearly hear His Spirit leading your every step. Those steps will lead you into His blessings. Those steps will lead you to more quickly, effectively, and powerfully accomplishing the God-desired goals for your life.
Carefully consider this past year’s accomplishments. Those that ended up being more comparative to wood, hay, and stubble are the ones founded on natural, human strength. Those accomplishments that are tried by fire and remain as purified gold are those that were born out of the blessings from God as you worked through His power and strength.
Grab an index card and jot on it “Except the Lord build, I labor in vain“, (Ps. 127:1) then put it in a place where you will see it several times a day as a constant reminder of the most effective way to accomplish all of your vision this coming year. If you are not resting, you are working in your own strength, not His. Psalm 127:1 is so clear to tell us that everything is in vain, except what is accomplished by and through the Lord.
Alisa and I pray for the abundance of God’s blessings to manifest in your life. We believe for your health, wisdom, vision, and favor to continually show all who know you the great and mighty hand of God working in power.
Increasing in Christ,
Pastor Gary & Alisa
