“8Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord. 9Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10And 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. 11And 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. 12But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: 13So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.” Ezra 3:8-13 KJV
God of faith and works,
Ezra arrived in Jerusalem before Nehemiah. Both sent by You, God. To inspire the people who had returned to Jerusalem .Ezra to teach the Torah and rebuild the community (Ezra 7-10). Nehemiah, to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Neh. 1-7). After a full year of hard work there was a joyful praise meeting organised to celebrate the relaying of the foundation. But unfortunately there was an equal number weeping as there were rejoicing and it was a terrible discordant noise across the land. Sad that they wept for the past glory of the Temple and not for their sin and the sins of their fathers that caused it. And they had been granted a miracle to return and build by a pagan king!
I remember visiting a church where half the congregation were from a church that had to be closed. Some resettled well. Some never stopped talking about ‘their’ church, now gone, not realising they were missing the future by trying to stay in the past. Grief can be a good thing. It gives time to remember and heal and begin to see the light of the future. Perhaps Your people in Jerusalem were still tied to faith in the Temple’s past glory rather than faith in You for their future. Help us be grateful for buildings, memories of events and people. But help us to keep our eyes fixed on You and the future. We need to look after our buildings but they are not the foundation of our faith. And You ask us to give thanks in all situations. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 20th September 2025
Remember this? Simple but profound.
Written by an American Henry Smith (b.1952), who suffered from a degenerative condition that made him legally blind. He wrote many songs, but this was the only one which became widely known. A visiting military officer took it away with him and introduced it in Europe. It was inspired by a reference by Smith’s pastor to how Jesus made himself poor to make others rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because he’s given
Jesus Christ, his Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because he’s given
Jesus Christ, his Son.
And now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,
let the poor say ‘I am rich’,
because of what the Lord has done for us;
and now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,
let the poor say ‘I am rich’,
because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks…
Lyrics: Henry Smith