“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” (Genesis 11:4)

What are you looking for?
The people in Babel were searching for something. God had directed the people (whom He created) to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). But His people defiantly decided to settle in a certain spot, build a city, and build a tower.
Why? What’s underneath their outward actions? “So that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered.” First, they didn’t want to be scattered. They didn’t want to face risk or danger, so they built a “city” and the Hebrew word indicates a fortified place, a place of security. Then they built this tower “to make a name” for themselves. They wanted status.
Security and status are good things, but we turn them into bad things when we try to get them apart from God. That’s what the people were doing. Do you do that? Do you try to find your security in wealth, government, your own ingenuity? Do you try to find your status in life in your job, being a parent, your achievements? What tower or city are you building?
If you keep reading the Babel account, you’ll notice that the LORD in grace intervened. He didn’t let them continue in their stubborn rebellion against Him. He confused their languages, He scattered them. Thank the Lord for the times He wakes us up from finding our security or status apart from Him!
Why would we look anywhere else than Him? Do you know what He tells you? “He who did not spare His own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also – along with him – graciously give us all things?” “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8). Talk about security! “All of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3). In your baptism you were adopted as God’s child, washed clean, forgiven of all sins, and made an heir of eternal life. That’s status!
What are you looking for? Find your security and status in Jesus, your Savior!
Treasuring my security and status in Christ, just like you,
pastor