“A Latin motto says, Nisi Dominus Frusta. This is derived from the bible verse, meaning: ‘Without the Lord, Frustration.’ (Psalm 127:1) The city of Edinburgh, Scotland, has this as the motto, which was affixed to the city’s official documents.
Build: Humans must put in their efforts to build the house. However, without God’s help, it will end up in frustration. The laws of nature are consistent as the Creator God is. Several laws, including the law of gravity, have to function for a house to stand firm. His eternal power and divine nature are evident in his creation. (Romans 1:20) A horse can be readied for a battle, but victory is from the Lord. Any person could build a house, but its completion and purpose could be realized only when God blesses it. (Proverbs 21:31)
Building families: This verse not only denotes the physical or material structure, but also the family residing there. Because later verses state that children are heritage, gifts, and rewards from the Lord. (Psalms 127:3-5) In the Old Testament, a family is mentioned as a house; today, it is referred to as a celebrity or a dynasty. The Hebrew words ben for a son, bath for a daughter, and beith a house come from the same root word banah, to build. For a house, steel, cement, bricks, mortar, and timber are required; for a family, sons and daughters make a house.
Protection: The city could have CCTVs, a police patrol force, and gates for security. Nevertheless, all these are in vain if God does not provide protection. Human efforts are good, but not good enough. Danger, disaster, and death could come from anywhere. Smart cities, with digital surveillance and Artificial Intelligence patrolling, could be a dream city, but security cannot be assured.
Dependent: Trusting God for His providence, provision, goodness, and gracious common gifts is a confident way to live in this world. ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’ is the dependent and confident prayer of saints. (Matthew 6:11) Without Him, believers cannot do anything. (John 15:5)
Do I gratefully acknowledge God’s gracious providence?