Building, Battling, Believing

"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it:  except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows:  for so He giveth His beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:1,2). 

The "How-To" books upon our shelves

Can never change the fact

That we are hopeless by ourselves,

Unless our God will act.

Except the Lord through us will build,

Our labor is in vain,

But as we do as God has willed,

Our work He will sustain.

Except the Lord shall safely keep

Our souls by His own power,

The watchman vainly loses sleep,

Though vigilant each hour.

Except the Lord shall give His peace,

We vainly strive and fret,

But when we trust Him, worries cease

With which we were beset.

We thank You, Lord, that You have shown

That triumph over strife

Is found in trusting You alone

In every part of life.