“Without the Lord, Frustration” | Summer at Crosspoint City

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.(Pslam 127)

Working in Vain

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you
are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

“Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4, ESV).

“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance… Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:2-4,)

Do you think success hinges on your own efforts, or do you believe it’s dependent on God’s provision?

Watching in Vain

Are you relying on yourself or trusting in God’s providence?

Worry in Vain

Are you eating the bread of anxious toil or resting in knowing God provides?

“Sleep is a daily reminder from God that we are not God…Once a day God sends us to bed like patients with a sickness. The sickness is a chronic tendency to think we are in control and that our work is indispensable. To cure us of this disease, God turns us into helpless sacks of sand once a day. How humiliating to the self-made corporate executive that he has to give up all control and become as limp as a suckling infant every day.” – John Piper

“And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”  (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)

Depend on God to Build

Trust God to Protect

Rest in Knowing God Provides

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30:)