Weeping & Shouts of Joy

When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD : "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever."And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. ~Ezra 3:10-13~

A temple destroyed. Many family and friends lost in war. Jews scattered and carried off in chains. Then, a miracle. A pagan king decrees a return to the homeland. A remnant makes the journey to rebuild a place to meet with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The foundations were laid. Weeping and jubilant shouting filled the air. Tears for the days lost. Joy for the hope of tomorrow.

I read the above scripture passage in the middle of the night after consoling my daughter during a teething episode. My mind turned to the many for whom this year has held loss. Loss of a loved one. Loss of a child. Loss of a relationship. Loss of a job. Loss of health. If this is you, it is my prayer that God will grant you comfort as you weep for the days of 2009. I also pray that you will be able see the hope of tomorrow in 2010. May the New Year bring you joyful praise for the amazing things God WILL do in your life.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our home to yours.

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