A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

The bread of anxious toil. What is that? What are some of the markers? Never taking time to be with the LORD, God, the Almighty for prayer; for meditation; in worship? Never taking the time to sit with the Scriptures and let the Word of the Lord permeate your inner being? Am I too busy with my own worries and cares to sit with a brother and share his load and concerns? What happened to the notion of praying without ceasing?

I read an article this morning in Mercator Net, “South Korea: the world’s worth dearth” by Louis T March.

Dr. March predicts that as a result of it’s disastrously low birth rate, 0.81%, that South Korea will soon cease to continue as an economic force in the world’s economy. The cause, to condense the article into a simple phrase is “anxious toil” Do we see sign of similar problems arising in the USA? Yes, definitely in my life time.

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Reading

Morning Psalm 31, Noon Psalm 119:89-96, Evening Psalm 24

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.