Love God Greatly: In the BeginningSample

When the people in the earth settled in Shinar they set out to build a tower and a city for their own fame. Their desire was to remain together in one place where they would gain fame and be known throughout the world. They intended to remain exactly where they had settled, directly rebelling against God’s command to fill the entire earth. 

God stopped the people in their tracks, confusing their language, forcing them to scatter from one another. They were forced to spread out, living in new places because they could not understand one another. This allowed God to fulfill His purpose for humanity, to fill the whole earth. Their pride led them to disobedience against God as they sought to make themselves known above God. 

God’s actions in this story can sound harsh, scattering families and communities, divided by language. But God had a grand plan and purpose for humanity, one that humans directly disobeyed. God’s command for them was to scatter and fill the earth, to make His name and power known. Instead of focusing on God’s glory, they sought their own. 

While God’s actions may not always make sense to us, we can rest assured that He is still in control. His plans and actions may shock us, like acquitting a wicked city or scattering people across the earth. They are not our plans. But when God’s actions don’t make sense to us, we can find peace and assurance in His character. He is good, holy, powerful, compassionate, merciful, gracious, and full of love. Regardless of His actions, we can be confident that His character never changes.

Prayer:

Lord God, I trust Your plans. Help me trust You when I do not understand Your actions. Your ways are higher than mine. When I am confused by Your actions, show me more of Your character. Help me trust You even when I don’t understand what You are doing. Amen.