Solomon launched the nation of Israel on a building spree. Most famously, he built the temple dedicated to the Lord, a wonder of the ancient world. He also built himself a palace, and later a palace for the daughter of Pharaoh, one of his queens.

Solomon built whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon and throughout all the territory he ruled (2 Chronicles 8:6).

So when Solomon looks back on life of construction projects, his thoughts cause me to turn my head. Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain (Psalm 127:1).

Solomon speaks to more than just putting up temples and palaces as he reminds us to remember the Lord as we build our lives. Solomon learned by experience, and failed at times to practice what he preached. Remember, this is the same man who wrote vanity of vanities, all is vanity! (Ecclesiastes 1:1).

From the mouth of experience. As I build in life, as I develop and grow and seek new opportunities, it’s good to keep the words of the wise king in my ears, and trust the Lord to build the house.

Psalm 127 in week twenty-five in reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Sneaky Elbow