THE LORD and THE HOUSE

PSALM 127

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE LORD BUILT THE HOUSE [v. 1]

 

Contrary to what revisionist historians would have you believe, America was founded as a Christian nation. Consider:

 

1. A House Founded on God’s Word –

 

The Continental Congress- on Sept. 11, 1777 recommended and approved that the Committee of Commerce “import 20,000 Bibles from Holland, Scotland, or elsewhere,” because of the great need of the American people and the great shortage caused by the interruption of trade with England by the Revolutionary War.

 

2. A House Founded on Prayer -

 

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service. - Benjamin Franklin- At the Federal Convention of 1787

 

3. A House Founded on Christian Principles –

 

The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. - John Quincy Adams -6^th President, son of 2^nd President John Adams- July 4, 1821 [200 years ago today!]

 

 

II. THE LORD MUST KEEP THE CITY [v. 1]

 

1. The Nation Must Maintain Relationship [Psalm 33:12]

 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

 

2. The Nation Must Maintain Righteousness [Proverbs 14:34, 16:12]

 

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

 

3. The Nation Must Maintain Revival [2 Chronicles 7:13-14]

 

If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

III. THE LORD MUST KEEP THE HOME

 

1. The Folly of Labor Without the Lord [v. 2]

 

2. The Folly of Family Without Faith [v. 3-5]

 

3. The Folly of Going Without God [v. 1-5]