How Zealous Are You?
A while back when I was reading the book of Joshua, I began to think about how he finished the work that Moses started as he was commissioned to do. I picture him full of the fire of the Spirit as he slew king after king and conquered each territory that he entered. When he decided, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), he pressed on and never looked back. When Moses became frustrated and hit the rock instead of speaking to it, he was not allowed into the Promised Land, but God knew that Joshua could get the job done. It would have been easy for Joshua to strut around and think himself a big shot for being chosen as Moses’ replacement, but we never see pride rise up in him. I expect this is because one cannot be full of themselves and full of the Spirit.
Dictionary.com defines “zeal” as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” Does this define your walk with the Lord? Are you running toward Him, doing everything He asks of you with great energy and enthusiasm? Or are you merely coasting, going through the motions, and getting by? For most people, it seems to be the latter. Many profess their love for God but they do not show God how much they love Him. James 2:26 tells us that “Faith without works is dead.” If you really love your Creator, everyone around you should know it.
I can relate to the psalmist when he cried, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation!” I have not lost my joy, but I would like a resurgence of enthusiasm that doesn’t wane.
As I close today’s post, I want to encourage you to keep pressing in to a closer walk with the Savior. Don’t just declare your love for Him but exhibit it as you walk by the way, as you rise up, as you lie down, as you talk to your neighbor. Let your words be gracious (Colossians 4:6), your conduct pure (1 Peter 3:2), and your countenance a reflection of Jesus. Amen.
Leave a Reply
