Ezra: The Lord HelpsSample

Are you a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty person? Some are incredibly optimistic, finding something positive to say in the most difficult of circumstances. Others are overwhelmingly pessimistic. Being around them can be wearing! As the foundations of the temple are laid, we find both optimists and pessimists among God’s people. 

The first response is full of optimism – people are praising God, full of joy (vv. 10–11). They are nowhere near completing the temple, but they’ve made a start and seen some progress. 

I remember the thrill of first becoming involved in God’s building work and seeing one, then another person becoming Christians. It is exciting when little, struggling churches are turned around to become vibrant places proclaiming the gospel. While most church families don’t look that spectacular – they’re not yet finished – great foundations have been laid; they are being built. That makes me want to praise God – as is happening in verses 10–11. 

But there’s another response in verse 12. It seems the pessimists have gathered together in their own little group. They think back to the days before the exile when the temple stood resplendent in all its glory. Now, two years after their return, all they’ve achieved is to rebuild the altar and the foundations. They are distraught. The temple is a former shadow of itself (see Hag. 2:1–15). So they weep … aloud (v. 12). 

Some will keep harping back to the good old days when churches were fuller, people were more open to the gospel and the nation was more ready to engage with the gospel. But as someone said, ‘That’s the problem with nostalgia – it’s not what it used to be!’ Such nostalgia is discouraging and can kill a church. It can blind you even when progress is being made. 

In verse 13, we read of both pessimistic and optimistic responses: ‘No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping.’ We’re not told which response was right – I guess there’s an element of truth in both. When we see people converted and churches planted and growing, rejoice that God is at work in building his church. While the church might not be what it used to be, don’t despise the day of small beginnings (Zech. 4:10). But equally, see that the work is far from done – history sometimes shows us how far we’ve fallen, bringing tears to our eyes. There is a place for godly dissatisfaction.

Reflection

Are you an optimist or a pessimist when it comes to building the church? Be sure to rejoice in the things God is doing, even if it isn’t as great as it might be, or once was. Turn any disappointment into prayer.