Rebuild, restore, tear down, & build

And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever 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. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away. (Ezra 3:10-13 ESV)

The books of Ezra & Nehemiah are all about restoration.  The restoration of a people to their God & the rebuilding of the Temple.  This passage out of Ezra struck me as perfect for New Years Day.  The year is new before us and there is much that we want to build, restore, tear down etc.  Tonight's passage shows this same emotion, the people of Israel have been gathered from the diaspora and are rebuilding the Temple.  When the foundation is laid, there were shouts of joy, they sang, they praised The Lord.  While this was happening, some who had seen the original temple and it's splendor wept.  I can relate to that, there are many reasons to have wept, perhaps weeping for all that was lost from days of old until now...primarily time, experiences, etc. This same sentiment is what I often feel as a new year begins.  I take stock of life and all that has transpired.  I see the promise and hope of God moving in my life, and sometimes that means rebuilding things, restoration, etc.  What things is God restoring in your life this year?  What things is He tearing down and what is He building?  Let us look to Him and remember that it is us who follows Him and not the other way around.