Reestablishing Our Identity

“People’s passion and dedication can conquer anything.”

- Brie Bella

10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel.

11 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:

“He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.”

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

12 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.

13 No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.

- Ezra 3:10-13

When God finally made it possible for the Children of Israel to return from their exile in Babylon, they quickly realized the first and most important task to accomplish in order to re-solidify themselves was to rebuild the temple. Seventy years in Babylon had been hard, but they knew that reestablishing the temple was the most critical step in reestablishing their identity. Their dedication and passion to that end culminated in shouts and tears of joy that were heard for miles.

These past fifteen months have been extremely difficult on God’s people and on His church.

We, too, have come to realize that a critical component of reestablishing our identity and solidifying who we are in the midst of our Babylon, is to reconnect with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Bride, the church.

It has become comfortable and convenient to watch church from home, and while church is not a building, it is a gathering of people worshipping God and fellowshipping with one another. We need God’s church and God’s church needs us.

It is time to reconnect and reestablish our identity as God’s chosen people, His Holy Nation, who are called out of darkness and into His wonderful light. May we be as dedicated and passionate as the Children of Israel in reconnecting with one another and rebuilding God’s church.

Come join us, and let’s “church” together.

Pastor Ken

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