I recall a period in our nation’s history marked by military rule. A brother who worshipped in the church I presided over at the time was the Brigade commander in the state; so by default, he was like the deputy governor. It was reported that thieves broke into his lodge and stole some items. Ironically, there were armed men in front of the chalet, but the robbers found a way through the back of the building. That experience was all I needed to authenticate our text – without the Lord guarding, the watchmen are wasting their time. The same thought is extended to the labour of our hands. Many people compromise work-life balance, thinking that more work guarantees more success. Experiences have shown that hard work is not the only requirement for success.

There is the God factor in the pursuit of life. Those who desire to succeed in the right way must have their lives intertwined with God.

The psalmist noted that labour alone does not build the house. Regardless of how hard one labours, it will be all futile without God’s input. In our previous meditation, we included trust in God as one of the conditions for blessings. So God’s grace is an irreplaceable factor in our quest for success and prosperity. Jesus may have had this thought in mind when He said to His disciples, “Without me you can do nothing.” Before that, He had told them of the need for Him to abide in them and they in Him. Just as the branch cannot produce fruit if detached from the vine, neither can we bear fruit without Him. There is the God factor in the pursuit of life. Those who desire to succeed in the right way must have their lives intertwined with God.