PODCAST
Join the Praise Team
November 22nd, 2010
Ezra 3:8-13
Not everyone is happy with progress. When the foundation of the new Temple was laid, that was a significant step forward for God’s people during some very difficult days. Some were ready to rejoice and thank the Lord with shouts of praise, while others were ready to drown out the praise with their weeping and wailing. The people were divided between the “glass is half-full” folks and the “glass is half-empty” crowd.
There is certainly “a time to weep and a time to laugh” (Eccl. 3:4). But when God’s kingdom is moving ahead, it is always a time to rejoice as we see His mighty hand at work. Maybe the “good ol’ days” were really good. But maybe the days ahead are going to be better than we can imagine. Zechariah foretold such a bright future: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! . . . See, your king comes to you . . .” (Zech. 9:9). Let’s stop mourning and join the “praise team.”
