Lay the Foundation That Lasts
Ezra 3:11 The people of Judah sang, giving praise and thanks to the Lord when the foundation of the temple was laid, and the same is true for us when someone accepts Christ.
7/1/20261 min read
And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: 'For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.' Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Ezra 3:11 (NKJV)
Shortly after arriving in Jerusalem, the people of Judah started working on the temple, and shouted with great joy, praising the Lord once the foundation was laid. They acknowledged God's goodness and enduring mercy toward Israel, highlighting gratitude for His faithfulness because the Temple’s foundation represented a new beginning for the nation. The Jewish people had been in captivity, forced to follow the Babylonian ways, and now they celebrated God’s enduring love and the hopeful restoration of Israel’s worship and identity.
Like the people of Judah, we shout for joy and praise the Lord when our foundations are laid of which the Cornerstone is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 says, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Just as the cornerstone gives a building strength and alignment, Jesus as our cornerstone gives us stability and direction, and helps us stand firm in life’s storms. Building a strong foundation with Christ as the cornerstone means that our lives are renewed and anchored in Him, restored and aligned with God’s will, and reestablished and protected from spiritual decay.
If you have not accepted Christ as you Lord and Savior, choose to do it now and make Jesus your cornerstone, and building a strong foundation that will withstand the storms of your life. Find a Christian friend, pastor, or church that you can go to pray sinners' prayer finding renewed life. If you are a believer, choose to follow Jesus' calling and make disciples for him, and listening to the Spirit that leads you to those who need to be saved. Choose to lay the foundation that will last for all eternity.