Zeal is a strong desire to do something with energy and enthusiasm. For example, if we’re serving God or others with zeal, it means we’re excited and enthusiastic – never complaining or having a poor attitude. We actively look for ways to be helpful.Godly zeal is long-lasting – a devotion to Him that doesn’t diminish over time. It’s not just a quick feeling of excitement that soon goes away. King David had zeal for God. He wanted to build a Temple for God – a permanent, physical place to worship Him, according to God’s direction. (See 2 Samuel 6:12-19, 2 Samuel 7:2, Psalms 132:2–5)In Psalms (69:9, NIV) David said, “…zeal for Your house consumes me.” Another translation helps us understand David’s zeal better: (Good News Translation) “My devotion to Your Temple burns in me like a fire.” The Temple in Jerusalem was going to be a symbol of God’s presence among the people. This desire to build a dwelling place for God was a driving force in David’s life – not just a quick burst of emotion that soon fizzled out.As a man of war, David wasn’t allowed to build it himself. Instead, he carefully collected the needed materials for this huge project. God revealed detailed instructions to David, and David shared this information with his son, Solomon, a man of peace, so that he could build it instead. (See 1 Chronicles 28:9-21) – Zeal is a powerful emotion that motivates us to take action – but that action can be positive or negative.Saul of Tarsus was an example of negative zeal. He thought he was serving God by persecuting Christians, but his zeal was focused in the wrong direction. As a result, people were hurt because of his actions.However, when Jesus, resurrected as a divine being, spoke to him on the road to Damascus, Saul focused his zeal in the RIGHT direction! Saul became the Apostle Paul, working in full-time service for God, zealously preaching Jesus’ message to many people. Paul endured many difficult experiences, but because of his zeal, he never gave up!So, what is zeal? It’s a strong desire to do something with energy and enthusiasm. Today, it’s easy to settle into our routines and make excuses as to why we aren’t studying the Bible or doing very much for others. Does our zeal for God and Jesus burn in us like a fire, or has the fire gone out? Let’s make sure we keep that fire burning – serving God, Jesus and others passionately and energetically with zeal!
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