By Ralph M. MgGuire
Text: “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) “And they said, God to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach into heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:4)
Beware of Babylonian ambitions and egotistical dreaming of fame and achievements. Via a paradox, “The way up is down and the way down is up.” Littleness is Big and bigness is little in God’s sight.
The question was brought to Jesus, “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? (Matthew 18:21) Jesus set a little child as an example saying he that is least is the greater. “And Jesus called a little child unto Him and set him in the midst of them. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My Name receiveth Me.” (Matthew 18:2-5) “For whosover exalteth himself shall be abased: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
Jesus set the example of humility before us when He chose “Bethlehem” as His birthplace. He chose a “manger” in a barn for a cradle when the inn had no room to spare. He introduced Himself as King, “riding on the foal of an ass.” Fame and greatness is not our Apostolic aim and goal. Humility and simplicity and Christ-like sacrifices, attitude and spirit will prevail. This and this alone will produce Holy Ghost revival.
“And the Lord hath called thee this day to be His peculiar people… And to mak thee high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as He hath spoken.” (Deuteronomy 26:18-19) A separated people for His Name’s sake would have God’s favor.
Midianites with simple weapons — a pitcher, a candle and a trumpet. Victory was won in the Name of the Lord.
The tower of Babel failed because it was built on substitutes. “Slime for mortar and brick for stone.” God condemned the structure and great was the fall thereof. Substitutes are a curse and a mockery to the all-sufficient Christ. “Lo, this only have I found, the God hath made man upright; but they have sought many inventions.” (Ecclesiastes 7:29)
The ambitions and the motive found in the Tower of Babel was pride. “They said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered upon the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:4)
The foundation of the church of Jesus Christ is sure and steadfast. He is the Rock of our very salvation. “His Word is above His Name” and He is the “First and Last.”
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this Book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book; And if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this Book.” (Revelation 22:1819)
His Words need no revisions or controversy or approval of men. “So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
The tower of the Lord is a strong and mighty tower. The architect and builder is God! “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
