What You Have Seen So Far Is Nothing!

Ezra 3 records a defining moment in Israel’s history. After years of exile, the people return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the house of the Lord. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua the high priest, they first restore the altar and resume burnt offerings according to the Law of Moses. Before walls are raised or beauty is restored, worship is re-established and God is placed back at the center.

While the foundation of the temple is laid, Scripture tells us something striking:

“But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy… so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping.” (Ezra 3:12–13)

In one place, at the same moment, there were tears and triumph, weeping and shouts of joy.

Gratitude Opens the Windows of Heaven

The older priests wept because they had seen Solomon’s temple in all its splendor, its gold, its grandeur, its former glory (1 Kings 6, 7). Compared to that, this new beginning looked small, unimpressive, even disappointing. That’s why the Bible says they wept with a loud voice. Their hearts were stirred and passionate, moved by the contrast and the memories of the past.

Yet here lies an important lesson for us.

Child of God, never despise the day of small beginnings

Every breakthrough, no matter how modest it looks, deserves gratitude. Gratitude is not just good posture; gratitude opens the windows of heaven.

God has carried you this far. He sustained you when you didn’t know how you would make it. Instead of rehearsing what could go wrong, rehearse what God has already done. Let gratitude, not anxiety, shape your perspective. Let thankfulness be your daily posture.

Be Strong!

The Lord later sends the Prophet Haggai to speak into this very moment:

“Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel… and be strong, Joshua… and be strong, all you people of the land… and work; for I am with you,” says the Lord of hosts.

(Haggai 2:3-4, NKJV)

Notice, God does not dismiss their feelings. He acknowledges their disappointment. But He refuses to let their perspective limit His purpose. He calls them to strength, obedience, and forward movement, anchored in one promise: “I am with you.”

And beloved, this is what God is saying to you today. Yes, you may have encountered His glory before. Yes, you may have seen Him move powerfully in past seasons.

But what you have seen so far is nothing compared to what He has prepared.

God is mighty. God is majestic. God is glorious. And He desires to reveal His fullness in the days ahead. The question is not His ability, but the question is our hunger. Are we still expecting? Are we still believing? Or have we settled for yesterday’s encounters?

The second temple may have appeared small, but its size never limited God’s glory. And neither will your limitations stop Him from working through you.

You may feel unseen. Unqualified. Insignificant. You may say, “God, I don’t have what it takes.”

But the Lord says: Do not underestimate what I can do through surrendered obedience.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

And finally, the Lord declares through Haggai:

“I will shake heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms… and destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms.”

(Haggai 2:20-22)

This is not a small God. This is not a limited future. This is a shaking, a repositioning, a divine unveiling of glory.

So be strong. Be grateful. Keep building. God is with you.

Wishing you a glorious, faith-filled, and powerful 2026!