Ezra 3:10-12 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever 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 chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
Personal coaches, counselors, and therapists are instructing their clients to become and remain fully present. To be fully engaged at the moment means you can neither be overly enamored with the past nor too preoccupied with the future. If either of these things takes place you diminish the impact of the present moment.
In this pericope of scripture, the children of Israel return to Jerusalem to a destroyed temple after more than 50 years in captivity. Overcoming their fear of the inhabitants of the land, they worked to reinstate the ritual of worship. The Israelites hired builders who laid the foundation of the temple. With vested priests and Levites leading the people in praise and thanksgiving because of the accomplishment. BUT the older priests remembered the former temple and in their eyes, the new was nothing in comparison to the former temple. So, the old priest wept.
The older priest remembered the “Good Ole Days”. The “Good Ole Days’ mentality hinders present day thanksgiving. The older priest viewed the past through a romanticized memory that magnified the splendors as they looked back. The romanticized, magnified, and embellished memory of the former thing cause the older priest to miss the joy and gratitude of the present.
The secret of an attitude of gratitude and a heart of thanksgiving is an interest in the present, with the forward glance of faith and hope. Looking back with wishful thinking, crying over spilled milk, and reminiscing about the past steals from the present and kills forward momentum.
- What memories do you need to let go so that you are grateful for God's goodness?
- What comparisons do you need to end to enjoy God's provisions?
- How have your memories impacted your present situation negatively? And what are you doing about it?
Gracious Father, you are good, and your mercy endureth forever!! Forgive me for the times I missed the opportunity to praise you for what you did because I was looking back through rose-colored glasses. Help me fully engage in the present with a forward glance of faith and hope for the future. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!
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