Psalm 127:1-2 Grace for Workaholics
Are you tired of running on empty? Do you feel like you’re constantly pushing yourself to the limit but never quite feeling like you’ve done enough? You’re not alone. But Psalm 127:1-2 reminds us that God’s grace is available for workaholics and even in our busiest moments.
In verse 1, King Solomon reminds us that “unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” This is a gentle rebuke to our tendency to rely on our own strength and abilities.
Solomon echoes Jesus’s words, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing,” and puts us in a position of reliance, not control.
Solomon emphasizes the limits of our best-laid plans and efforts without seeking God’s will and desire for us.
This is not to say that our efforts are unnecessary or that God will not bless our hard work. Rather, Solomon emphasizes the limits of our best-laid plans and efforts without seeking God’s will and desire for us.
Verse 2 speaks to our workaholic tendencies: “It is vain for you to rise early, to retire late, and to eat the bread of painful labors.” God values diligence and hard work. So, Solomon isn’t saying, “Don’t work hard!” But we’re in trouble when we think that our worth and success depend solely on our efforts. We’ll end up burned out, exhausted, and feeling like we’re never good enough.
As someone once said, “The opposite of rest isn’t work but restlessness.”
The opposite of rest isn’t work but restlessness.
Psalm 127 offers much-needed grace. Stop trying to do it all on your own, thinking it all depends on you and God has little to do with it. That’s restlessness! Diligence and planning are biblical but futile without Christ. Turn to God and rely on Him more.
But the greatest blessing of Psalm 127:2 is the promise that “He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.”
I love this! It is a tender reminder that, as we rest in God’s sovereignty, He will bless us—“His beloved”—even when we’re not actively working, striving, or controlling anything. Not even our snoring. This is God’s pure grace—He blesses us out of love, not merit, even when we don’t do anything. Believing this allows us to sleep at night.
This is a tender reminder that, as we rest in God’s sovereignty, He will bless us—“His beloved”—even when we’re not actively working, striving, or controlling anything. Not even our snoring. This is God’s pure grace—He blesses us out of love, not merit, even when we don’t do anything.
Again, this is much-needed grace. When we’re lying awake at night, worrying about our to-do lists and deadlines, we can remember this promise and pray, “Lord, this is heavy on my mind.” Then, give it to Him, trusting Him to give you wisdom and guidance while asleep. And wake up believing, anticipating God’s wisdom, and ready to walk with Him in the new day.
This promise is like a parent pulling up the covers, turning out the light, and kissing their sleeping child’s forehead. It reminds us that God is our loving Father, who cares for us and provides for us, even when we’re not actively seeking Him.
Psalm 127:1-2 reminds us that our strength is limited and that God’s strength is limitless. So, instead of trying to do everything alone, try resting in God’s strength. When you’re feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, step back and say, “God, I can’t do this on my own. I need Your strength and guidance.” By resting in God’s strength, you’ll find that you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible, and you’ll be able to do it with peace and joy.