Devotionals

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Thought from Genesis

"Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.

They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." [1]

I have note in the margin of my Bible on page 10….”Nothing is impossible for people in unity.” I am intrigued by God’s statement that “If they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”

It speaks to me of the immense creative potential that God has endowed us with. John F Kennedy’s 1961 challenge to the USA – to put a man on the moon within the decade stands as an incredible example of what we can achieve when we work together. Unfortunately, often our collaborations have the aim of killing or repressing those who differ from us, amassing ridiculous fortunes and frequently damage our fragile planet. As a result of the free will that God created us with, our potential comes back to bite us – God does not protect us from ourselves.

My margin note also cites Psalm 133…”How good and pleasant it is when brothers live in unity!” [2] It then goes on further…” For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life evermore.” [3]

Jesus understood what a potent force Unity is. In His final prayers for all believers – including us – he prays…”May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”[4]

God’s first words to mankind – before the whole Tower of Babel incident were…

”God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." [5]

By gathering in one place the people were in direct contradiction to God’s plans to spread out and fill the earth.

More recently Jesus said to His followers…

“Go and make disciples of all nations.” [6]

I wonder what would happen if we applied our God-given power of unity to the great commission?

"If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” [7]


[1] Gen 11:1-7 New International Version
[2] Psalm 133:1 New International Version
[3] Psalm 133:3 New International Version
[4] John 17:23 New International Version
[5] Gen 1:28 New International Version
[6] Matt 28:19 New International Version
[7] Gen 11:6 New International Version

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