DID you see the amazing fireworks at the recent opening of the world's tallest building, the Dubai Tower, standing in its glory hundreds of metres above ground with over 160 floors?

When the project commenced there was no worldwide economic recession, but at its conclusion its owners have had to accept bail-outs from a neighbouring country to afford the construction.

And we were shown pictures of the inside of the tower, with many floors left unfinished and unfurnished.

Last Sunday I began a preaching series on the life of Abraham, and to set the scene for understanding the influences that impacted, dictated and informed his historic ancestors we looked briefly at the world at that primitive time, not least at the Tower of Babel.

This was a gigantic construction, using bricks and bitumen, that was intended to reach up into the heavens, but the reason for its existence was decidedly dubious, namely that of disobedience to the Lord's command to "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." Instead, the people of that time chose to consolidate, pulling up the proverbial 'drawbridge' and forming one city, but their disobedience resulted in a rising 'tower' of false pride, superstition and fear.

The Bible story speaks of God's intervention by His coming down to earth to cause 'confusion' (the actual meaning of the word 'Babel') by scattering the builders throughout the world, thus graciously allowing them to fulfil His original command and intention.

You can read the full account in Genesis 11.

When we pray the Lord's Prayer we include the phrase, "May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Instead of humankind building their own kingdoms or towers, the Lord's desire is for us to get involved in His kingdom – a kingdom of respect, salvation, active charity (love), obedience, faith, prayer, unity in diversity and genuine pastoral care.

Our beloved city's motto is: 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.' Now that warrants some real fireworks!