There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 11
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
“Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” [Genesis 11:3-4]
From the beginning of time, humanity has been trying to establish itself without God in this broken, messed up world.
Nation after nation has built up armies, cities, and empires, only to have them crumble, usually from within (with success comes pride and folly).
Jesus was right when He said, Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. [Matthew 12:25]
God did not just change their languages, He allowed them to become divided, to fight and disagree and argue… and the tower was no more!
One of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” [Mark 13:1-2]
We see the same pride among Jesus’ followers, so impressed by man-made buildings.
But as Jesus predicts, that building comes down too… and the temple was no more!
The Lord does not seem to be as impressed by our buildings and accomplishments as we are, and one day they will no longer be around.
Have you heard, the Crystal Cathedral is for sale… and the building was no more!
How many “successes” from the past are no longer what they once were.
This is humbling, and it ought to be.
Again and again God raises up a program or ministry for a season, but then with time they fade away again, and God raises up someone or something else.
I believe He does this on purpose, to keep us from become proud, focused on the massive ministries and magnificent programs.
For at the end of the day, human nature cannot build a kingdom that can stand; they will always fall apart.
This reminds me of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about the statue of many layers: While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. [Daniel 2:34]
There is no tower, no temple, no city, no empire, no kingdom made by human hands that can stand forever; sin will bring it down.
But there is a kingdom, not made by human hands, that will slowly rise through the ages until it stands forever – the kingdom of God in Christ!
PRAYER:
Lord, You raise up ministries and programs for their season in Your purpose, then You allow them to fade away. Remind me that I too will one day pass on, either into Your kingdom which will stand forever, or into the dust of my human kingdom!
This is man once again doing his own thing, going his own way. But we were created for a purpose greater than ourselves and not found in ourselves. We were created to give Him the glory.God frustrated their plan to make a name for themselves rather than to live for Him. To God be the glory for great things He has done. So they became babblers = saying nothings – hot air that blows and is gone.
What am I building? Whose kingdom am I in?
I continue to work in His vineyard for His glory and He encourages me along the way. It is not what my hands have done, but God using me to accomplish what needs to be done. The works of my hands will fade away, but His kingdom, which is here in part, is established forever and will be here forever and one day it will be here in full. Thy kingdom come, Lord.
Help me this day to be a faithful worker, a kingdom kid, working for my king who provides me with all I need from day to day. PTL!
Not what these hands have done
can save this guilty soul,
not what this toiling flesh has borne
can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
can give me peace with God;
not all my prayers, and sighs, and tears
can bear my aweful load.
Thy work alone, O Christ,
can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God,
can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God,
not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
can rid me of this dark unrest,
and set my spirit free.
Thy grace alone, O God,
to me can pardon speak;
Thy power alone, O Son of God,
can this sore bondage break.
I bless the Christ of God,
I rest on love divine,
and with unfaltering lip and heart,
I call this Saviour mine.