为教会的复兴和发展祷告（三）

诗篇 127:1：「若不是耶和华建造房屋，建造的人就枉然劳力；若不是耶和华看守城池，看守的人就枉然警醒。」

这节经文提醒我们，教会的建立和保守都是出于神的恩典和旨意，我们要依靠神的力量，而不只是自己的努力。

问: 《诗篇》127:1中提到的“建造房屋”和“看守城池”象征着什么？

参考答案:

在这节经文中，“建造房屋”和“看守城池”象征着人类的努力和成就。这些活动代表了人们在生活中的辛勤劳作和保护所爱之人的努力。然而，经文强调，如果这些努力没有神的祝福和引导，那么这些努力是徒劳的。这反映了一个深刻的信仰真理，即所有的努力和成就都应该依赖于神的恩典和旨意。教会的的复兴和发展更应该依赖于神的恩典和神的能力。

问: 根据《诗篇》127:1，我们应该如何理解个人努力与依赖神之间的关系？

参考答案:

根据这节经文，我们可以理解到个人努力是必要的，但它并不是成功和保护的唯一或最终因素。真正的成功和安全来自于神的恩典和旨意。这意味着我们应该在我们的所有努力中寻求和认可神的指引和祝福。即使是最辛勤的劳动和最严密的防御，也需要神的支持和恩典来确保它们的成果和果效。这教导我们要谦卑，认识到我们自己的局限性，并依赖于比我们更伟大的属天的力量。

Pray for the Revival and Growth of the Church

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”

This verse reminds us that the church is built and kept by God's grace and will, and that we are to rely on God's strength, not our own efforts.

Q: What do the acts of "building a house" and "guarding a city" symbolise in Psalm 127:1? 

Reference Answer:

In this verse, "building a house" and "guarding a city" symbolize human efforts and achievements. These activities represent the hard work of people in their daily lives and their efforts to protect their loved ones. However, the scripture emphasizes that if these efforts are without the blessing and guidance of God, they are in vain. This reflects a profound theological truth that all efforts and achievements should rely on God's grace and will. The revival and growth of the church should even more depend on God's grace and God's might.

Q: According to Psalm 127:1, how should we understand the relationship between personal effort and reliance on God?

Reference Answer:

This verse teaches us that personal effort is necessary, but it is not the sole or ultimate factor in success and protection. True success and safety come from the grace and will of God. This means we should seek and acknowledge God's guidance and blessings in all our endeavours. Even the most diligent labour and the strictest defense require the support and grace of God to ensure their fruitful outcomes and effectiveness. This instructs us to be humble, recognising our own limitations, and to rely on the heavenly power greater than ourselves.