Dilution

Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. [Psalm 127.1]

This may sound like a stretch but the word "dilution" came to mind early this day and I felt like there would be some scriptural reference to it in the OYCB reading today. As I read this verse, I felt like it was the very verse to expound upon the word "dilution."

Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted,. How would we "know" the LORD builds the house if the work of the builders is the most prominent thing?

Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.  How would we "know" the LORD protects the city if our own defenses are numerous?

The fact is, we 'say' the LORD does a lot of things, but our lives do not really reflect a convincing belief in what we say.

Our faith is diluted by our works. Let me be clear, our faith is diluted by OUR works (as contrasted to the works of God that we are supposed to be doing resultant to our faith).

What is the difference between the works of God and our works? Results. The scripture above confirms that.

Dilution occurs in many different forms. Our works is a prominent one as Psalm 127.1 attests. But what about all the things we spend our time with?

People spend millions of dollars and countless hours reading self-help books. Mind you, some of these 'self-help' books are in the form of "Bible aids." While some of the encouraging books written may indeed be helpful, we must safeguard against those books diluting the Word of God in our lives!

Ever wonder why Jesus praised the woman who gave all she had? It was because her life was in no way diluted (or confused) about where her sustenance came from. By giving all she had, her statement of faith was 100% pure. It was not diluted with any reservation whatsoever about Who sustained her..

I am not saying here that having a hundred builders is wrong. But, if those hundred builders dilute my faith that God is THE builder of my house, then there is definitely a problem.

What is diluting my faith today? What is diluting my devotion to God today?

Father, help me to be mindful today and forever of the importance of purity when it comes to my devotion and faith. Help me to distance myself from everything that dilutes my devotion and faith. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand...