Genesis 11:4
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."
Those who built the tower of Babel
were good at their job…and they knew it. Architecture, masonry, carpentry,
these men were the best. They wanted to be known for it. “Let us build
ourselves a city, with a tower, so we may make a name for ourselves,” they
said. These were men who wanted to be famous.
There’s nothing wrong with that. Is there?
Of course not; however, their mistake came when they refused to acknowledge God’s hand in their work. They wanted all the glory. Let US build a tower. Let US reach the heavens. Let US make a name for OURSELVES…
Their hubris knew no bounds. So, they were humbled.
God has a way of humbling us as well.
For a while, I led a monthly ladies Bible study here in Las Vegas. The women who attended were always so sweetly complimentary of the job I had done. I tried with all my heart to remember to give the glory to God. “He told me what to say”, “He led me to the right scriptures”, “This was God’s doing.”
However, one month, after a very successful meeting during which many were moved to powerful prayer and one dear sister rededicated her life to God I was feeling very…Babel-ish. As my friends hugged me and whispered sweet compliments in my ears I reveled in their adoration. “Angie, you are such a good Bible study leader”, “You are so wonderful. You’ve changed my life”, “I can’t imagine a better leader”.
Not once did I remind them I was nothing without God.
I left the church that evening with my arms thrown wide shouting, “I’m the queen of the world.”
I had a flat tire on the way home from work. I could not reach my husband by phone. In my attempt to change the tire on my own I broke six nails and a shoe heel. And, as cliché as it might sound…it began to rain on me as I worked. MY whole evening was ruined.
I’m not saying God flattened my tire or broke my heel, but both blowouts certainly served a purpose in humbling me.
We must never forget that every good thing comes from God. We must never forget to give Him the glory in our lives. We must never forget that it’s okay to be famous but only when we acknowledge how we got there with sincerity and humble gratitude.
There’s nothing wrong with that. Is there?
Of course not; however, their mistake came when they refused to acknowledge God’s hand in their work. They wanted all the glory. Let US build a tower. Let US reach the heavens. Let US make a name for OURSELVES…
Their hubris knew no bounds. So, they were humbled.
God has a way of humbling us as well.
For a while, I led a monthly ladies Bible study here in Las Vegas. The women who attended were always so sweetly complimentary of the job I had done. I tried with all my heart to remember to give the glory to God. “He told me what to say”, “He led me to the right scriptures”, “This was God’s doing.”
However, one month, after a very successful meeting during which many were moved to powerful prayer and one dear sister rededicated her life to God I was feeling very…Babel-ish. As my friends hugged me and whispered sweet compliments in my ears I reveled in their adoration. “Angie, you are such a good Bible study leader”, “You are so wonderful. You’ve changed my life”, “I can’t imagine a better leader”.
Not once did I remind them I was nothing without God.
I left the church that evening with my arms thrown wide shouting, “I’m the queen of the world.”
I had a flat tire on the way home from work. I could not reach my husband by phone. In my attempt to change the tire on my own I broke six nails and a shoe heel. And, as cliché as it might sound…it began to rain on me as I worked. MY whole evening was ruined.
I’m not saying God flattened my tire or broke my heel, but both blowouts certainly served a purpose in humbling me.
We must never forget that every good thing comes from God. We must never forget to give Him the glory in our lives. We must never forget that it’s okay to be famous but only when we acknowledge how we got there with sincerity and humble gratitude.
If you have not acknowledged God’s grace in your life
today…now’s the time to do so.
Father I pray you will accept my humble gratitude for your work in my life. I am blessed in so many different ways because of your mercy on me. I want to acknowledge in my heart and in public that you are the source from which all blessings flow. You are God. Amen.
Father I pray you will accept my humble gratitude for your work in my life. I am blessed in so many different ways because of your mercy on me. I want to acknowledge in my heart and in public that you are the source from which all blessings flow. You are God. Amen.
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