20/20 Vision Devotion

“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, ‘For He is good, for his steadfast loves endures forever toward Israel.’ And all the people responded 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 families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, 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 so loudly that the sound was heard far away.” Ezra 3: 10 – 13

 

Many of us aren’t too familiar with the Book of Ezra. The Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell the story of God’s people’s return to their homeland after being exiled in Babylon. These verses from the third chapter of Ezra record the reaction of the people when they saw the foundation of the New Temple of the Lord. Rebuilding the Temple was of utmost importance to the people of God, for the Temple was a visual symbol of God’s presence among them, in addition to providing them with a place to gather and worship.

So why did some of the people weep in sadness while other people wept for joy? The elderly people wept because when they saw the foundation they knew this new Temple would never match the scale and the grandeur of the Temple, which King Solomon built for the Lord. The young people didn’t have that perspective; they were just thrilled to see their dream become reality. Most likely the tears of the elderly were a mixture of sadness over what had been and joy at being witnesses to this important symbol of restoration.

As a member of our Synod’s 20/20 Vision Team I am privy to the sadness of not being able to build all that we had hoped to build. We have more mission opportunities in our synod than we have resources to fund new congregations. Yet I am also aware of the joy and excitement of new Christians who, through the ministry of committed lay persons and pastor / developers, have, for the first time in their lives, a church family and a visual symbol of God’s presence in their lives.

Through your prayer and financial support of 20/20 Vision, our common dream of expanding the Kingdom of God takes on flesh and blood, bricks and mortar. Now that’s something to shout about!

 

God’s Blessings to You,

Pastor G. Kim Wills, Chairperson 20/20 Vision Team

 

Prayer Petition:

God whose giving knows no ending,

We give you thanks for the church home you have provided for us - that we might hear your gospel for us, and participate in your mission in the world.  So we pray for the places in southeastern Iowa and around the world where people do not find a welcome place to hear your gospel. Bless the gifts we entrust to the 20/20 Vision, that making disciples, baptizing, and teaching might be faithfully taken up in many more places.  God of mercy, Hear our prayer.