Success and security are two things of great importance to people everywhere.  It is certainly a big part of the American Dream.  We want to be successful in every area of life, and we want to be able to live in safety and security so we can enjoy that success.  Generally speaking, we have had a large measure of each of these things for many years.  But things have changed.  The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the sudden collapse of Enron and other giant firms this past year have taken away our assurance of success and our sense of security.

    Is there a word from God that can help us at a time like this?  I believe there is.  Psalm 127:1 addresses both success and security, and gives us a pattern for living.

    First, there is the matter of success, symbolized by the building of a house.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with the building of a house, or any of the other things that might be wrapped up in that activity.  It is natural and right for us to want to provide shelter and comfort for ourselves and our loved ones.  There are many places in the Bible where God commends industriousness.  Work is a part of God’s plan for man, and has been so from the creation.  We get enormous satisfaction out of working and seeing the results of that work.

    It isn’t wrong to spend our time and energy laboring, or to reap the results of our labor.  This is what we should do.  The problem comes when we leave God out of our planning and performance.  This verse doesn’t say we are not to build.  It says the Lord must be a part of that building if it is to be a success.  “Except the Lord build” doesn’t mean we are to sit on the sidelines while God does it.  It is not a failure of faith to involve ourselves in the work.  It is a failure of faith if we try to do it without God.  Success comes when we join hands with God in whatever we attempt.  We must do our part, and trust God to do His.  That is true success.

    Second, there is the matter of security, symbolized by the keeping of a city.  Many have gone to great lengths to make their homes and businesses secure.  Locks and alarms and security services have become a part of the American scene.  And we worry about other things too, like enemies who desire to do us harm.  So we spend vast amounts of money for national defense.  Now there is nothing wrong with any of that.  There are many places in the Bible where God speaks of safety and security and His desire that we should have them.  In fact, God established government to help us in this area.  We need security, and should do whatever we can to assure that we have it in our homes and in our nation.

    Once again, the problem comes when we leave God out.  He is not to do it all.  God didn’t say there is to be no watchman.  It is misguided faith which sits back, saying, “I don’t have to take precautions, I’ll just trust the Lord to take care of me.”  But it is also misguided to think we must do it all.  Even our best is not enough to keep the city.  We need the Lord to watch over us.  There must be a balance between taking proper precautions and trusting the Lord.  Only then are we truly secure.

    Joining hands with God, and doing what we should do, is God’s way to success and security.