Bible Text: Psalm 127 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: A Song For Workaholics, Psalms

1.  After showing the importance of God’s involvement in the family, the psalmist turns to the security of a city (state, nation).  As the pilgrims would ascent to Jerusalem they would be impressed with its impressive battlements and rugged topography and tend to think it was impregnable.  The writer reminds them that Jerusalem’s security was not in its terrain and defenses but in the Lord.  Leaving the Lord out of their community life would be disastrous.

2.  There is a lesson for us in this, no matter how strong our national defense, without integrity in our leaders, holiness in the land, and an honest acknowledgement of God, we are vulnerable.  As Psalm 33:16-18 says:  “ No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.  But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,”

3.  The Psalmist then turns his attention to work, specifically he condemns working long hours/long days without thought of God and His care and His priorities for us, as futile.

4.  A theology of work:

-work was a part of creation before the Fall (Genesis 2:15; 3:17-19; Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-24)

-work brings a sense of worth, accomplishment, dignity

-work brings the respect of our neighbors (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12)

-the Bible warns against idleness (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12)

-the Bible warns against defrauding an employer of our best effort (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-24)

-the Bible warns against defrauding a Christian employer (1 Timothy 6:1,2)

-work gives us money to meet our needs and to help others (Ephesians 4:28; Titus 3:14)

-we are to work wholeheartedly as if working for the Lord not men (Ephesians 6:7; Colossians 3:23)

-Our work should not define us

5.  Worry, anxiety about work comes because: we overextend ourselves, we don’t trust God to provide, or we don’t value God’s provision.