Who is building your house?

Read:

Psalm 127:1 (CEV): “Without the help of the Lord it is useless to build a home or to guard a city”.

Act:

Other Bible translations say: Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain (NKJ); Unless it is the Lord who builds the house, the builders’ work is pointless (CEB); If the Lord doesn’t build the house, the builders are working for nothing (NCV); Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted (NLT)…

Do you hear this? If our Father is not the builder and centre of our lives, our marriages and families; we cannot glorify Him in and through our daily lives. Our existence then becomes useless, pointless, nothing, wasted…

Let us be determined this week to:

Consider and pray about the following question:
What does your life, your marriage (or singleness) and family reflect about God?

I’ve asked close friends and family to share their perspectives on the five questions God instilled in my heart. I’ve received amazing insight and wisdom and I’ve been humbled to sit under God’s teaching through each one of their responses. I’ll be sharing their insights over the next three weeks, as I believe this topic is pertinent to our Father’s heart and relevant to our current circumstances.

Here is my amazing husband, Herlu’s responses:

1. What is your understanding of a healthy and strong marriage and family?

“I believe marriage was designed and instituted by God and it serves as an example of Jesus’ relationship with us, His church. A healthy marriage foundation is built on what God says about marriage in His Word. And also, the purpose and calling for a specific couple or marriage can only come to fruition if they constantly listen to the Holy Spirit and walk with God. It is also based on our expression of our gifts, and serving one another – as Jesus has shown us how to forgive, serve and love. It is really His design, and we are only following what He has instituted!”

2. How do you think healthy, strong families influence healthy, strong communities and ultimately nations?

“I honestly believe that healthy families are the cornerstone of strong communities – that provide a springboard for future generations to influence the world around them. This is like having a safety-net around us: a place where you know that you are treasured and loved no matter what. But also, there is a sense of belonging and an understanding of what really matters. This can only be achieved by God’s grace; but also, through parents or family members being examples of servanthood, love and fellowship”.

3. If you are concerned about your family, what Bible verse do you reference first? What is your first response?

“The first verse I’m thinking about is Joshua 24:15 where Joshua boldly proclaims: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. I believe there is power in speaking God’s Word over our families. We need to proclaim it more and trust the Lord to show us the way”.

4. Reflecting on your family and marriage – what is one way you have grown and developed personally, and in your family relationships?

 “If I look at my family, I truly believe that they established in me the strong values of trusting God no matter what comes your way. There have been so many situations in which God showed Himself to be trustworthy, so many times in the small and big things. And then looking at my marriage, I believe that God has shown me His absolute and unimaginable amazing grace by giving me someone who really challenges me, laughs with me, shapes me, guides me, caries me and loves me – just the way I am”.

5. What advice would you share with couples and families going through tough times?

“When couples or families go through tough times it is never easy – usually it’s most painful when it’s  the people you care about the most. But we need to see this as an opportunity to draw closer to each other – definitely to God first, but also to each other. Let’s spend more time with each other and with God and really focus on what is important to God and how that supports and takes our families forward. We need to focus on God more than our worldly circumstances. This is quite difficult, and therefore we need the encouragement of the people closest to us. That’s where we need to go back to God’s Word and LISTEN to what He says and TRUST in His promises”.

Pray:

Father, we commit our marriages (or to-be marriages) and our families to You! Father God, help us to build healthy, strong marriages and families based on Your original design! May our marriages and families reflect the beauty of Your Gospel, Your redemption plan and Your love for us! Father, please will You build each of our houses? All for Your glory!
Amen.

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