Psalm 127 : 1,2

Except the LORD build the house, they labour 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 KJV


I have meditated on these verses many times. Each time when something major that I am involved in hit a wall, doubts will creep into my head as to whether this path is what the Lord has planned for me.

However, my attention was fixated on the words "to eat the bread of sorrows". The RSV says "to eat the bread of anxious toil". It simply means "Don't be anxious...". We should not be anxious in our labor.

Anxiety grips us everytime something goes awry..things keep spinning in our heads on all possibilities and repercussions and as a result, we loses sleep, am uptight and unable to focus properly.

How has this help me to overcome anxiety? I reasoned that if  my highest efforts are only in vain without His help, then the success or failure lies ultimately on Him, not me. This truth is a starting point for me to move into any issues and ventures with the focus on Him to carry out the work through me. The Bible tells us not to be anxious for "He give to His beloved in his sleep" The incentive is this: God can perform more good for those who trust Him while they sleep than they can perform with anxious labor for themselves while awake.


The great test of faith is to believe that when we can see only a bleak outcome to some situation and no good coming of it, yet God can bring out of nowhere, as it were, a turn of events or attitudes that brings great blessing. And He can do it while we sleep!

I am contented with this knowledge to rest in Him and trust Him to do His work.