Perspective is powerful! Two people can look at the same thing and have two very different perspectives and, therefore, two very different responses.
We see this in Ezra 3. Solomon's temple had been destroyed. But now, under Zerubbabel's leadership (Ezra 3:8), construction on a second temple had started.
But notice the responses as the people look at the size of the foundation of this new temple...
Ezra 3:11:13
With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord:
“He is so good!
His faithful love for Israel endures forever!”
Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid.
But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance.
Many shouted and sang for joy! However, the older folks wept.
Why?
Because this temple was the only temple to God the younger folks had seen. They had no frame of reference. So, they were excited about the construction project.
Yet, older folks had seen the glory of Solomon's temple. They saw its splendor. This new temple paled in comparison to the original in size and beauty. How could they not weep when they saw how inferior this new project was?
Application:
Too many followers of Jesus have not seen Him move powerfully among his people. All they know are lifeless church services and a sense of duty to do what He has called us to do.
Yet there are others, young and old, who have seen God "show up" before. They know what it's like. They've seen the most unexpected people give their hearts to Jesus. They've seen enemies reconcile with tears of repentance flowing down their cheeks. They've seen unfaithful husbands fall on their knees and repent before God and their wives as their marriages were restored. They've seen the joy of the Lord radiate from the faces of those who have experienced God's forgiveness and are enjoying sweet fellowship with him. They've seen followers of Jesus who cannot help but share the gospel with those who so desperately need it. Etc., etc., etc,.
And then they look around them and see that things are not as they once were.
Let us join together and pray that God would move among us again. While we are grateful for what He is presently doing among us, there is so much more of Him to experience and enjoy.
Essentially, let's pray for revival!
