Recently, while reading the book of Genesis, I came across an old story I had heard before. As often happens, when I revisit these ancient tales, there’s always something new to learn. Today was no exception.

After the flood, God instructed humanity to disperse and repopulate the earth. In simple terms, God wanted them to go forth and fill the earth again, as it was a blank slate, wiped clean by the flood. Once again, human will contradicted God’s desires. Remember the first time mankind followed their own will instead of God’s? They ate the one forbidden fruit among many that were allowed. It was pleasing to the eye and promised wisdom. Eve was deceived, but Adam knowingly chose to eat, going against God’s will. This act of willful disobedience caused the fall of all mankind.

In the story of the Tower of Babel, we see humanity once again choosing their way over God’s. Instead of dispersing as instructed, they gathered in one place and built a mighty city with a tower reaching the heavens. They were building their kingdom on earth. Was this the kingdom God wanted them to build? A kingdom made of stones, marked by architecture, design, and human intelligence? This time, instead of seeking wisdom, they sought fame and glory.

Consider this: God made man righteous, holy, and perfect. Not only did He create man in His own image, but He also gave him authority over all living creatures. Adam named them. When Adam needed a companion, God provided a perfect one. Yet, all this authority and righteousness were not enough. Mankind wanted more. The irony is that they already had more than they understood. Ever since, humanity has been trying to return to that state of holiness and righteousness. We cannot achieve this through our works, actions, fame, or recognition. We can only be made right and perfect through the sacrifice of Christ.

You see it all the time: mankind trying to gain for themselves and build their own kingdoms. The only kingdom God wants us to build is His Kingdom. The only glory we should proclaim is God’s glory. God did what He always does; He disciplined mankind by confusing their languages, causing them to scatter across the earth. Humanity ended up fulfilling God’s will, whether they wanted to or not. God’s will always prevails because He is faithful and true, bound to His word. He is not a man that He would lie.

Don’t be too hard on these people though.  They were fallible and they could not be righteous on our own. They also did not have Jesus.  We are hopeless without the Lord, like sheep without a shepherd. We would have been right there with them building the tower, because we are just as fallible.  

The same pattern repeated throughout scripture and is evident even today in our lives still. Mankind is still trying to build their own tower to the heavens, seeking wisdom to be equal with what they consider God to be. Many people think they are God because they know so much. Still, the same foolish and harmful actions persist.  Actions such as defying God’s instructions, seeking self-satisfaction, and wasting time building kingdoms that will not last. This can be said even of some “believers.”  

If you’re tired of spending your life building something that won’t last (beautiful castles in the sand), I challenge you to take a chance on God. Instead of following your own will, inquire of Him and walk in the way He directs you. Instead of spending all your resources on yourself and acquiring temporary things, invest in serving and loving others, building treasures in a place where they will never rust or be stolen. Instead of spending your life building sandcastles that wash away with the changing tides and times, stand on the eternal rock and build God’s Kingdom through love, worship, service, sacrifice, and submission. Will you listen to what God is telling you today? The choice is yours, but I promise you, God’s will prevail either way. I’d much rather stand with Him than against Him because I know which side will have the ultimate victory. Where will you stand? What will you build? Will you listen and obey?