Except the LORD build the house...

http://www.anglican-nig.org/main.php?k_j=13&d=51&p_t=index.php

[Church of Nigeria] 29 May 2008--

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. (Psalm 127:1 KJV)

Whenever man fails to recognise and acknowledge God as the source and ground of all success, but foolishly attributes same to himself, fellow men or any creature other than God he is committing the sin of idolatry. And this happens ever so often in empirical history. When success comes the way of the unregenerate man, he quickly forgets it is God who has endowed him with wisdom, skill and ability to be able to function; he gets puffed up, begins to see himself as the centre of life, thinking that without him the universe will cease to be. And we all know this is one sin God cannot and will not countenance. The LORD our God declares:

“I am the Lord; that is my name!

I will not give my glory to another

Or my praise to idols” [Isaiah 42vs 8]

This was the contention and struggle of the prophets of YHWH all through the history of Israel.