READING: Ezra 1-3, Acts 9:23-10:8
Something was going on. Under God’s hand, some of the Israelites in bondage in Babylon received freedom and returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. As they laid the foundation, the people sang together, “For he is good; his faithful love to Israel endures forever” (Ezra 3:11).
On the other hand, the emotional responses of the people were varied. Some of the older people who remembered the first temple wept in their memories when they realized the new temple would not have the grandeur of the first. Others, though, with no such memory shouted with joy. The reactions were mixed, but the sound of the combined emotions was loud—so loud, in fact, that it “was heard far away” (Ezra 3:13).
Given that not everyone we worship with would respond this way, how I wish this weekend that God’s people would shout with joy so loudly that people far away would hear! The God of the Bible is worthy of such shouting.
PRAYER: “God, help me to praise You loudly this weekend.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Prepare your heart the next two days for worship—and let your voice be heard!
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review
MONDAY’S READING: Ezra 4-7, Acts 10:9-48