May the mumbling commence!
There is but one foundation – the foundation of Christ
Jesus. And that foundation includes
obedience. And, to be obedient, we must worship
the Lord in everything that we do. Just
think of how it must have felt when the returned Jewish exiles knew that the
foundation was complete to rebuild the Temple on. It would have been mixed emotions, I am
sure. Read from Ezra chapter three:
When the builders completed the foundation
of the Lord's Temple, the priests
put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. And the
Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David had prescribed. 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.
Many of the older priests, Levites, and
other leaders remembered the first Temple, and they 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 commotion that could be heard
far in the distance. (Verses 10-13)
They worshiped the Lord just as David prescribed. They gave thanks for the important step of
the foundation being completed. They
marked that important step with worship.
And those who remembered the old Temple wept. For some, the new Temple could not match the
old one in their eyes. For some, they
wept to see the return of something they had missed so much – tears of joy. Such is the burden of age and wisdom.
The other people, who did not remember the old, shouted
for joy. They had a place to call home
for worship of the Lord.
Both the weeping and the shouting combined to a loud
commotion… but a loud commotion that was joyful. There we have it – a joyful noise, the young
and old worshiping together. May it be
so in today’s church!
Yes, we are free to worship apart, but we are lessened
when we do. Let’s not allow our freedoms
to drive us apart. Separation is the
work of the devil. Read from First
Corinthians chapter ten:
Now, why should my freedom be limited by what someone
else thinks? If I can thank God for the
food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? Whatever you eat
or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of
God. That is the plan I follow, too. I
try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what
is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved.
(Verses 29b-33)
Yes, my freedom ends when it makes another person
stumble, because my welfare is tied up in the success of all people in my
community. The best for them is the best
for me as well.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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