The first was named Peleg – “division” –

for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups.

1 Chronicles 1:19 NLT

In your time, the earth is divided. Review chronicles of every nation and generation, and you will find that human nature has not changed. The Tower of Babel is under continual reconstruction. But great effort is useless if I am not the Architect. People who believe only in themselves and build only for themselves find communication next to impossible.

God-fearers and God-rejecters are not on the same wavelength—they do not speak the same language. Christians seem to speak in an unknown tongue, using an incomprehensible foreign language.

Highlighting pleasure, nonbelievers feel no need of the Comforter. Accenting self-reliance, skeptics feel no need of the Encourager. Stressing do-it-yourself religion, legalists feel no need of the Advocate. Pronouncing independence, egotists feel no need of the Paraclete. Emphasizing self-righteousness, the pious feel no need of the Savior. No wonder the speech of atheists and believers sounds worlds apart!

In My time, the earth will be united. I am the Only Optimism for a connected world. My Holy Spirit is the Only Unifying Factor. I am at work in trusting hearts—creating a united kingdom of one body, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, one Father, one hope.

Only when Christ reigns over the nations will unity prevail. Then His prayer— that all His disciples may be of one heart and mind—will at last be answered and will inspire eternal global celebration—adoration of the Lamb who gave His blood to ransom people from every language and nation, worship of the One worthy to unseal the future.

The divided world will come together only when Jesus reigns. Human ingenuity has never been able to get it all together—it never will. Christ is the star of hope. When current events in a fragmented world discourage you, look forward to Christ’s joining together unsettled nations into genuinely united nations.

Avoid the evil one’s divisive vocabulary—obscene, blasphemous words of TV sitcoms; hostile words of warmongers; discouraging words of the malcontent, egocentric words of the ambitious; bigoted words of the religious. Use heaven’s speech—loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled words taught by My Holy Spirit.

In the babble of confusing dialects spoken by the world, use My unifying vocabulary. Practice speaking what will one day become the universal language.

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity