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 scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:4, R.S.V.
For a time the descendants of Noah continued to dwell among the mountains where the ark had rested. As their numbers increased, apostasy soon led to division. Those who desired to forget their Creator and to cast off the restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teaching and example of their God-fearing associates, and after a time they decided to separate from the worshipers of God. Accordingly they journeyed to the plain of Shinar, on the banks of the river Euphrates…. Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower of such stupendous height as should render it the wonder of the world….
The dwellers on the plain of Shinar disbelieved God’s covenant that He would not again bring a flood upon the earth. Many of them denied the existence of God and attributed the Flood to the operation of natural causes. Others believed in a Supreme Being, and that it was He who had destroyed the antediluvian world; and their hearts, like that of Cain, rose up in rebellion against Him. One object before them in the erection of the tower was to secure their own safety in case of another deluge. By carrying the structure to a much greater height than was reached by the waters of the Flood, they thought to place themselves beyond all possibility of danger. And as they would be able to ascend to the region of the clouds, they hoped to ascertain the cause of the Flood….
There are tower builders in our time. Infidels construct their theories from the supposed deductions of science, and reject the revealed word of God…. In the professedly Christian world many turn away from the plain teachings of the Bible and build up a creed from human speculations and pleasing fables, and they point to their tower as a way to climb up to heaven….
The time of God’s investigation is at hand. The Most High will come down to see that which the children of men have builded. His sovereign power will be revealed; the works of human pride will be laid low.14Ibid., 118-124.
Conflict and Courage p. 42
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Prayer Requests
—-My 14-year-old grandson, Ayden is type 1 diabetic and not controlled. He also has scoliosis and very flat feet. Please lift him up in prayer. Debra
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Dear Friends,
Life seems to be getting busier and busier. This is not just something I am experiencing: almost everyone I know is having the same problem. There is hardly enough time to do all that needs to be done.
As I was thinking about our busy lives and my neglecting to write to or call those who are dear to me, I began to think about ways to solve this problem. To relax from my very stressful life, I enjoy putting together jigsaw puzzles online whenever I have time. Suddenly I realized that if I took the time that I waste doing them, I would have time to keep in touch with those near and dear to my heart.
Even more vital than keeping in touch with our loved ones, is keeping in contact with our Best Friend Jesus. Indeed, our Heavenly Friend looks forward to hearing from us more than we look forward to a call or letter from those we love. He longs to have us talk to Him, to bring Him all our perplexities, to share with Him our joys, to ask His advice in all things, to listen as He speaks to us through His Word and through His “still small voice” speaking to our heart.
How often He waits for us to think of Him, but we often go through our busy routine with scarcely a thought Heavenward. As we go through the day, our Dear Saviour longs for us to be conscious of His presence. He desires to be part of all we do, all we say, all we think. Paul advises, “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17 In this day and age, staying in contact with our Dear Saviour is even more important. “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found…Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:5-8
Think of it! As we pray, He instructs us. As we meditate on His Word, He enlightens us. May we like David declare, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Ps 119:11-16; Ps 55:17