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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. —Ezra 3:10
What a sight it must have been when the song of the Lord was again sung in Jerusalem for the first time in almost a century! Seventy years of captivity in cruel Babylon gave way to a restoration of praise and worship. With praise, thanksgiving, and shouting, the people of God jubilantly rejoiced, saying, “He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” (Ezra 3:11). Even today God is restoring praise and worship to His Church. Ezra 3:13 tells us that “the joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud commotion that could be heard far in the distance.” And so will our praise be heard by a lost world that is waiting for some sound of the joy of the Lord. Satan hates the praises of God, for they represent a regathered people, a determined people, and an evangelistic people. Also, some people will not understand our praise because the man without the Spirit does not understand those things that come from the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). Praise releases the waiting hand of God. Decide today to stay in the “praising crowd.” After all, that is your destiny throughout all eternity!
Suggested Reading:
Ezra 3:1-4:23
1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4
Psalm 28:1-9
Proverbs 20:24-25