A Loud Shout
The
builders laid the foundation of the Lord's temple. Then the priests came. They
were wearing their special clothes. They brought their trumpets with them. The
Levites who belonged to the family line of Asaph also
came. They brought their cymbals with them. The priests and Levites took their
places to praise the Lord. They did everything just as King David had required
them to. They sang to the Lord. They praised him. They gave thanks to him. They
said, "The Lord is good. His faithful love to
But
many of the older priests and Levites and family leaders sobbed out loud. They
had seen the first temple. So when they saw the foundation of the second temple
being laid, they sobbed. Others shouted with joy.
No
one could tell the difference between the shouts of joy and the sounds of
sobbing. That's because the people made so much noise. The sound was heard far
away.
Ezra 3:10-13
Sometimes
when we shout it is for joy, and sometimes it is for sorrow. It sounds the
same. The reminder is that in the midst of grief, there is joy. Joy in knowing
that our Lord is watching over us, every single second of our lives.
There
may be sadness in looking back. It also includes a promise of joy in trusting
God for the future. Even in a devastating loss, we have the hope that our needs
will always be taken care of.
Even in the bleakest of times, Christians have the brightest
hope.
Our Daily Bread –