“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 10-11

“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 11:4

Day 4 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the ancestral lineage of Noah's sons, and in particular from Shem to Abram; it also includes the story of the Tower of Babel.

As I did in yesterday's post, it is important to emphasize that we exist to glorify God.  While many in today's culture delight in diversity, without saying this is good or bad, it is of note to think about how commonness of language (see Genesis 11:1) might ease cooperation and unity in early people groups (although not necessarily guarantee it).  Unity is then used as a source to build the Tower of Babel as indicated in Genesis 11:3 where it is said "They said to each other"....This unity is then used as a basis to reject God's sovereignty as the people sought to make a name for themselves vs God.

We all seek significance and recognition - yet our significance is found in God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You alone reign over all and You are worthy of worship.  You are King of kings and Lord of lords.  You have also adopted me into Your family - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin daily...seek glory for myself.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

Luke 22

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. v26

As Jesus gathers with His disciples for The Last Supper, we see a number of things, including Communion, Jesus' recognition of Judas as His betrayer among them (see also Matthew 26), the disciples quarreling over whom might be the greatest disciple among them, and Jesus' calling out of Peter's denial (three times) of Jesus that will come to pass by the next morning.

Both the disciples quarreling and Peter's defense of himself to Jesus shine a spotlight on our pride issues.  We all want recognition and significance (see also post here) yet we must remember that we exist to glorify God - hence why Jesus emphasizes our need to remain humble so that Jesus is glorified through us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done so much in and for me, and I have seen what You have done through me as well - and I am deeply grateful for all of this. I am undeserving for what You have done and continue to do for me - I worry way too much and lash out at others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. v43-45

In this passage, James and John seek to gain favor with Jesus relative to the other disciples and they are challenged by Jesus and rebuked by the other disciples.  All of us seek recognition and status in this world - we desire to feel significant - this is outlined by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as "esteem needs".  Yet we must understand at the same time that significance is provided by our CREATOR - God!  He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for us on the cross - so that we may have life (John 3:16).  

It is of course tempting to seek recognition, status and significance in this world - but we should not, and instead place our faith in Jesus and take comfort in being second in the same sense that Jesus wants us to place Him first.  We must become a slave to Christ.

For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.  1 Corinthians 7:22-23

My Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are a good, good Father, and a great God - my God, my personal Lord and Savior.  I am nothing without You and apart from You I can do and have no good things.  Thank You for how You bless me and for saving me.  I need You desperately because I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.

Ezekiel 21

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it. v26-27

We all want to be recognized - to feel worth, to be exalted.  Yet we often chase idols - other people, sex, drugs, alcohol, work, hobbies, etc. We often want the crown on our own head and and we often place our own desires ahead of those of God - we fail to recognize that we exist to glorify God.  God is our King of Kings and He deserves the glory!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love of mercy and compassion for me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  I often place myself and idols before and above You. Please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin, overcome it and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.