Ezra
3:10-11 "And when the builders laid the foundation of the
temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and
the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the
ordinance of David king of Israel. (11) And they sang together by
course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his
mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great
shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the
LORD was laid."
We live in a time of instant gratification. Pop a frozen meal in the microwave
and you are soon filling the belly. Pop a coffee pod in the Keurig and a
hot cup of coffee is being enjoyed in just a few seconds. I'm not complaining
in writing those sentences, for I enjoy the conveniences we have been given,
but we lose something in the process as we enjoy quick fulfillment.
The people have arrived in Jerusalem. I wonder how they felt as they came
upon the city that once was the center of worship and thriving in commerce.
When they came upon the city, the temple had been destroyed. The wall had been
torn down. We are told the reaction of Nehemiah when he went back to rebuild the
wall. Surely these people had the same response of shock and sadness as
to the condition in which the city had been left. We were told back in
the first verse of this chapter, "The people gathered themselves together
as one man to Jerusalem." There is much to be said about unity,
especially when there is a great task to be accomplished. No doubt they spent
much time in trying to encourage each other for the work ahead.
By now, you may be wondering why I wrote the first paragraph concerning instant
gratification and losing something by not going through the entire process of
accomplishment. In today's verses, we see the "builders laid the
foundation of the temple of the LORD." They accomplished the first
step of the process of rebuilding the temple. They had not completed the work
of rebuilding the temple but they were making progress. Instead of waiting
until the temple was completed, the people began to worship and praise the Lord
as this first step was finished.
They looked at the temple and called for the "priests in their apparel
with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the
LORD." Did you notice something about the manner they came together?
Yes, they are in the middle of the construction site. I'm sure building materials
were all around them, but priests came "in their apparel." Yes,
they came fully dressed in the apparel that was to be worn in conducting their
actions of worship and praise in serving the Lord. They held nothing back
as they came to declare their gratitude and praise unto the Lord for allowing
them to come back to Jerusalem. The foundation is completed, they began
"praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his
mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great
shout."
They saw the first step of the process completed and they began to praise the Lord. They did not wait until the end before they began thanking and praising Him. I am reminded this morning that each day is a step in the process of life. Today is the day that I should stop and praise my Lord and thank Him simply "because he is good." How about you? Will you stop to thank Him for this day, the step in the process of His building our lives unto His glory?