Verse for the Day, 28 February 2014.

Genesis 11:1-4  Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.  (2)  And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.  (3)  And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.  (4)  Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth."

 

Genesis 11 is a chapter that we are quite familiar with. The tower of Babel sticks in our minds as being yet another attempt by man to make a name for himself, to establish his greatness and to prove his strength. The question is who is it that man is seeking to prove himself to? Who is it that man would take note of how great, powerful and significant man is? In the case of the tower of Babel, they wish to prove themselves, they wish to make a name for themselves with God. It is an attempt to show God that they are people to be reckoned with, for they have in their own might built a great tower as a demonstration of just how mighty they are. We know what becomes those who seek to exalt themselves in God’s presence, to those who believe they can prove themselves to God, God humbles them and lays them low. If we were to continue reading this chapter we would see how God does exactly that.

 

These verses challenge us to think accurately about both God and ourselves, realising that only God is great, powerful and to be exalted. We were not created to make a name for ourselves, but rather to make God’s name great. We are not to glory in man, and man’s accomplishments, but to glory in God and in God’s works. This requires us to constantly re-orientate our lives and our thinking, for we are so often focused on man, or ourselves, rather than God. By God’s grace we have been filled with His Spirit, who helps us and leads us on a daily basis to focus on God and make much of God. We need to take hold of this help and seek to glory in God, making little of self and much of Him.

 

Great and Glorious God, how we plead with You for forgiveness, for there have been so many times when we have made much of ourselves, thought highly of ourselves and made little of You. Give us a deeper and greater understanding of who You truly are, Your splendour, majesty, holiness and power, so that we might realise the foolishness of self-exaltation. Enable us through Your Spirit to make much of You today and very little of ourselves. Amen.