THE PRIDE OF LIFE

I was on top of the world. I had my college diploma in my hand. I had graduated at the top of my class. I had a great job lined up for the taking.

I had done it all. Good friends, a great dating relationship – life was good. I had gotten there through hard work and dedication. I was going to take on the world. And no one could tell me I was wrong. Besides, what did they know?

Looking back at that period of my life, I was building my personal tower of Babel one brick at a time. But it wasn’t long before I found myself bewildered with broken friendships, a broken marriage and a job that was disappointing.

Pride comes so naturally for us, and pride is the story of Genesis 11. Instead of filling the earth as God purposed, man decided to band together to make a name for themselves. In response, God put down those who desired to exalt themselves. The scattering to all parts of the earth which resulted, reveals something about God’s nature: God will accomplish His plan, either with our cooperation or without it.

Genesis 11 is also a pivot point in God’s plan for mankind. Out of the dust of Babel the story of redemption begins to unfold. The genealogical record traces the line from Noah’s descendants down to Abraham and it is a beautiful picture. God saved the human race once through Noah and it is through this lineage that God will reveal His chosen people through Abraham. And it is through this lineage, the line of David, that God will reveal His Messiah, Jesus, who will save the human race for eternity.

In the pain of my past, the Lord taught me a lot about pride. Still, I find myself needing constant reminders of humility. Fortunately, we have Jesus who held the power of the universe, yet humbled himself to death on a cross. He did it for me and for you. Nothing humbles me more than this.