Have you ever noticed that, as children and adults, we humans always want more than is necessary? We were passing out free candy bars to a group of older students, when many asked, can we have another one? Is this all we can have? Just one? These questions were asked before consuming the unexpected, free, bar they had in their hand. We ask for more, even while we are receiving more than we need. 

We ask God for what we think we need. Our God is gracious, loving, merciful and kind and always gives more than we need, it seems, so is our first thought gratitude or wondering if there’s more we could have asked for? I shudder at the thought, but we are a sinful, selfish lot. 

Noah and his family leave the boat with a fresh start and God’s promise to never flood the earth again. An eternal promise. “I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth the rainbows will be seen in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with everything that lives. 

A fresh start on a newly cleansed earth. Descendants of Noah abound and fill the earth. 

But they want more…a monument to their own greatness. So, they get together to build a great city with a tower that “reaches to the skies”. God brings confusion to this human misguided unity of effort by giving them different languages. “In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the earth; and that ended the building of the city. That is why the city was called Babel, because it was there that the LORD confused the people by giving them many languages, thus scattering them across the earth.” Genesis 11, NLT

We always want more. Sad.

God is God and we are not. God’s Story is a reminder that we do not know what is best for us. We do not even know what we need. We must turn to God first with a prayer of gratitude for what He has already done. Then ask HIM for what HE thinks we need. He will remember us. He will provide. For God is our Father who wants what is best for His children. That is us. His children who He created and loves more than anyone on this earth. So, ask…with a grateful heart.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for teaching us our weakness of selfishness in Your Story about Your Greatness. We come with gratitude for all You have done for us. We ask that You give us this day all You know we will need to live a life pleasing to You and will be helpful to others seeking you. Here is my life. Have Your own Way, Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen