Romans 8:28 says, "We know that all things work together[a] for the good[b] of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." People often wonder how this works, how does He turn our rebellion or ignorance into good. This week's story line is a perfect example.

We began the week with rebellion, division and chaos. We end the week with unity and praise. Where men rebelled and gathered, God redeemed and dispersed. Here in this passage, and at other points we'll visit in the future, God is calling us back from our wanderings to join in the unity of praise to the Most High.

While Babel rumbled with the noise of human ambition, Psalm 96 echoes the melody of Divine Glory. The goal of unity throughout human history isn't to increase our own achievement but making much of God and His purposes. In John 17 the Apostle reminds us that our Christian unity is in fact how the world will know Jesus was sent from God, the first step towards receiving a faith able to save them.

i also love how the Psalm ends: "He is coming to judge the earth." You would think His judgment would be scary and ominous, but the Psalmist says the fields, everything in them, the trees, the forests, in other words, all of creation,  celebrates His pending return to judge the earth. Creation knows its creator. It knows when the Lord reigns pride is humbled, injustice is corrected which leads all of creation to rejoice!

Take a few moments to look over the echoes of your life. Do they resound with the songs of ambition and pride or the melodies of praise? It's a subtle and vicious trap for us to exalt our own glory. Where in your life do you find yourself declaring your own glory instead of His?

Father, I want my life to magnify you and your glory, but my pride still sings to me with its song. Help me to stay focused on your majesty, to seek your glory and your name; to replace the song of pride with songs of Praise! Help me to join all of creation as it celebrates your coming peace! In Jesus precious name, Amen.