One of the most difficult things of which we can convince ourselves, it seems, is that God really is sovereign above all creation. In Genesis 11, humanity is trying to reach up to God, to make a statement that we are great on our own. Isaiah shows us what things look like from His perspective.

Humans constantly think they can make themselves divine all by themselves, exalting themselves above that which is holy and right. But God sits enthroned above it all, looking down on our feeble attempts to be Him.

Isaiah asks a series of rhetorical questions; "Do you not know? Have you not heard?" In other words, he says "Don't you know who you are dealing with?" Earthly rulers rise and fall, empires will boast, beat their chests in triumph then fad away, but not God.

I'm sure the builders felt like this was their ultimate achievement, a permanent legacy. Truly, every generation has something like their own tower of Babel, our own 'something' we think will protect us, define us, and secure us. Maybe it's a political system, a mighty military, booming economy, cultural or technological improvements. For some reason we think things things will last.

Isaiah gives us a proper worldview and perspective of life on this orb or ours. Princes, kings, systems ... they are all fragile tender grass in the spring. He isn't trying to mock us or belittle us, but He is hoping to reorient our understanding and knowledge of reality. He wants to correct our perspective. He wants us to remember any power or authority we have is borrowed, on loan from a gracious and wonderful Father. A Creator who cannot be rivaled and doesn't bend to the will of our whimsy.

When we gain a proper view of God, our earthly thrones, systems, and pride lose all the wind from their collective sails. Our "Babels" begin to shrink and our vision takes on proper focus ... a purer focus on Him.

A proper view of God reframes how we see ... everything.

Right now, as I write, we are 4 days into another global conflict of war. So many in the church have shown their true faith lies in a "tower" of earthly might and strength, but in the shadow of the Almighty even the strongest of the strong here on earth, are, as Isaiah would say, like grasshoppers before Him. 

What “tower” in your world feels immovable or ultimate right now? What earthly structures do you find yourself trusting in? How does seeing God enthroned above rulers and kingdoms reshape your anxiety or maybe your ambition?

Father, you are the Most High God. You DO sit enthroned above the earth. Teach my heart and my mind to take refuge in You and You alone. Help me to keep at bay any hint of leaning on the powers of this world instead of trusting in you. Amen.