God's Glory Church

And they said: “So let’s build a city for ourselves… And let’s make a name for ourselves.” — Genesis 11:4
When I was a little boy, we lived near several construction sites. Inspired by construction processes, my friends and I collected the remains of building materials to build a fortress for ourselves. Borrowing tools from our parents, we hauled wood and spent days trying to make our material serve our goals. It was fun, but our structures didn’t last long.

In the 11th chapter of the book of Genesis, we read about a great building project. “So let’s build a city for ourselves,” said the people, “that tower, and its top reaches to the sky” (v. 4). The big problem was that they did everything to make “a name for themselves” (v. 4).

This has been a constant problem with humanity: we build monuments to ourselves and our achievements. Later in the biblical narrative, this story is contrasted with Solomon’s motivation to build God’s temple: “Behold, I intend to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God” (1 Kings 5:19).

Solomon understood: what he builds should point to God, not to himself. He even wrote a psalm about it, which begins with the words: “When the Lord does not build the house, its builders labor in vain” (Ps. 126:1). Just as I used to build a fortress as a child, what we build on earth will not last. Instead, God’s Name and what we do for Him has eternal significance.

And what are you building in your life? How does your life glorify God?
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have focused on myself and not on what You are doing in the world.
Author: Matthew Lucas