Devotionals

Pointless Direction

by Jenor Aguilar
05/12/20
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“Unless it is the Lord who builds the house, the builders’ work is pointless. Unless it is the Lord who protects the city, the guard on duty is pointless.” — Psalm 127:1

Every family desires to see their children become successful in life. Parents willingly sacrifice their time, resources, and energy to achieve this goal, and some even give their lives for the sake of their children. According to research from the ASPE on successful families, strong and healthy families share common characteristics: open communication, encouragement of individual growth, appreciation, commitment to family, spiritual or religious orientation, social connectedness, adaptability, clear roles, and meaningful time together.

Among these qualities, many researchers recognize religious or spiritual orientation as an essential component of strong families. However, there is ongoing debate about which aspects of religion are most vital to family life. With an estimated 4,200 active religions worldwide, not all belief systems lead to hope, truth, or life. Some are deceptive, empty, and ultimately powerless to build lasting foundations.

As Christian parents, we are called to faithfully teach the Word of God to our children. Scripture reminds us that God Himself is the true Builder and Defender of our homes and our nation. The psalmist uses the metaphor of building a house to describe this truth. The Hebrew word for “build,” banah, means to build, establish, repair, set up, and even to raise children. Just as a house requires the right builder to ensure its strength and safety, a family or nation can only flourish and endure when it is built on God’s foundation and direction (1 Samuel 2:35; 1 Kings 11:38; Amos 9:11; Proverbs 14:1).

Therefore, we must be careful and discerning. There are many so-called “faith builders” today who appear harmless but are dangerous in nature. Jesus warned us clearly: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). These builders are deceptive and cannot provide lasting security.

The only true Master Builder, Keeper, Defender, and Restorer of our families is God. When we entrust our homes to Him and build according to His truth, we establish a foundation that will stand firm for generations.

Prayer:

Lord, we surrender our families to You. Build our homes according to Your truth and protect them by Your grace. Give us wisdom to lead our children, discernment to guard our hearts, and humility to depend fully on You. May our families bring honor to Your name, now and for generations to come. Amen.