Contributor: Alex Alajiki
INTRODUCTION:
Last week we looked into living a life of purpose based on Matt. 5:13-14; "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Is very interesting that our calling to be light and salt in this world is embedded in every Christian purpose for living.
There are two major ways we can use to find our purpose based on our teachings last week
1. Ensure you are spirit filled and prayerful
2. Believe in the purpose and Submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Finally, if we miss it, God is so gracious that he can He can make all things to work together for our good according to Rom. 8:28.
Today, we are looking at another important topic in line with our series on Purpose; Except the Lord build the house, Ps.127:1; Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.
We shall be focusing on the fact that God is the master builder of all things and we must work with His plans if we are going to achieve His intended purpose in life.
Most of our labours in life can actually be a waste when we are not mindful of God’s plan.
1. God the Builder; Heb. 3:4,
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God God the builder does not imply that the Lord has a hammer and nails and actually performs construction work. Rather, it speaks metaphorically of the Lord’s direct involvement or development in the building of our lives. The Hebrew word for “house” in Psalm 127:1 appears nearly a thousand times in the Bible. It is used literally to refer to temples, palaces, and homes, and figuratively to refer to households and families—all of which are important structures in a person’s life. But, we can narrow it down to the building of our individual lives and families. So, we cannot hope to live a purposeful life without the help, guidance and protection of the master builder.
There are 3 major factors that are very important in any building project; Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding.
Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge and understanding. Prov. 23:3-4; Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches
If we are going to construct a great building that can stand the test of time, then the builder must have latest, not outdated, knowledge of building engineering and proper understanding of materials needed for the construction. So, wisdom to build a house is the combination of proper engineering knowledge and understanding of necessary materials for the construction.
God is the only one with the wisdom of building our lives according to His original intention. He has the intricate knowledge and understanding of what He want to achieve with our lives. Jer. 1:5; Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations
2) God build according to His plan; Prov. 19:21, Prov. 3:5-6, Jer. 29:11
There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel that will stand.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
For I know the thoughts(Plans) that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts(Plans) of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope
A plan is a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something. Only God can boast of a detailed proposal (God’s original road map) for the building of our lives according to His own purpose. You cannot build a great building without a standard plan.
God developed a detailed plan both in our creation and the full content of our existence on earth according to Ps. 139:15-16; My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skilfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
God completed His plans for each of us before we were even conceived in our mother’s womb. In every building construction site, the building will always be making reference to the original plan in consultation with the architect that designed the building to make sure they are not deviation from the original plan. We cannot build our lives, family, ministry, business and any project ordained from God without God’s involvement by the guidance of His Holy Spirit.
3) Following God’s Plan to Build; Ps. 32:8, Isa. 30:21, Rom 8:11,
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. – Isa.30:21
The promise of God is to guild us in our journey through life but how can we know and follow His plans to build our lives according to His purpose;
a. we need to seek His face in prayers. Jer. 33:3
b. we need to understand His plans: Ps. 119:144
c. we need to take actions to build according to His plan; Matt. 7:24-27
d. we need to constantly check if we are building according to plan; 2 Cor. 13:5
CONCLUSION; Eccl. 1:2
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
Trying to build anything without God’s plan and wisdom, is foolish. It leads to futility in the end and to the lament of Ecclesiastes 1:2: “Everything is meaningless.”
If you want the ultimate success in life and be satisfied at the end of the race, then we must build according to God’s plan for our lives.
