PSALM 18:19 – He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me
THEME OF THE DAY. THE KEY TO A ZEALOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE. Zeal. It is defined as “having great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” The synonyms for the word zeal are rich in meaning – “passion, ardor, love, fervor, fire, avidity, devotion, enthusiasm, eagerness, keenness, appetite, relish, gusto, vigor, energy, intensity; fanaticism.” In the Christian life, we are called to exhibit zeal for the Lord.
In the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans, chapter twelve, he gives a series of commands. They are applications of all the glorious doctrine and truth he unfolded in the first eleven chapters. Beginning in verse six, he wrote, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:6-13). Twice he mentions having “zeal” in the use of spiritual gifts as well as in a broader sense of all service to the Lord. The biblical definition of zeal in this context has a three-fold meaning. First, “be excited about doing something”; next, “to do one’s best” and thirdly, “do it quickly.”
So, let’s ask the question of the Apostle Paul’s command concerning zeal . . . “Are we zealous for the Lord?” Or better yet, let’s extend that question to three by using the three biblical meanings of the word “zeal”. Are we excited about the things of the Lord? Are we doing our best in the things of the Lord? Are we excited and doing our best for the Lord, right now, today, without allowing the sin of procrastination to quench our zeal? These are important questions because our zeal reveals our love. As we are zealous for the Lord so is our love for the Lord. Yet, we know all too well the weariness of the flesh draining our zeal, and the daily fight against sin that often makes our zeal lacking, well, zeal. For instance, this past Lord’s Day. Did we rise early with zeal in our hearts for church or did we basically find ourselves coming to church more out of mindless habit and duty with no zeal? It happens to all of us, and what we don’t need is simply more words of exhortation to “pull up our spiritual bootstraps” and get zealous for the Lord. No, it won’t be our actions or personal resolve that will sustain our zeal for the Lord. We need a motivator outside ourselves and in today’s scripture, I think we discover the greatest motivation to sustain a life of zeal for the Lord. It is found in the last five words – “because He delights in me.”
Let those words sink into our souls and enflame them with zeal. Yes, God delights in us. Yes, despite our nearly constant fumbling, bumbling, and stumbling, He delights in us. And His pleasure in us, which is a manifestation of His love for us, is constant or steadfast. It doesn’t change. Friends, what possibly would move us to be zealous for the Lord more than the truth His heart is always on us, delighting in us, and taking pleasure in us? Want a life of zeal for the Lord? Don’t pray for it or try to drum it up in the strength of self. Instead, meditate on today’s scripture for a long time. It will produce within us an unstoppable and consistent zeal for Him as we experience His incredible delight in us.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for it is You, not myself, that motivates me to live zealously for You.”
QUOTE: “To be a zealous Christian doesn’t begin with us, but by being overwhelmed by God’s love.”