READ:
NUMBERS 25:6-13
Serving God
requires zeal. This refers to your level of interest, concern, dedication and
commitment to the service of God. Zeal has varying degrees and the level of it
in each believer will determine the extent to which such a believer can
accomplish for God.
Zeal towards God can be negative or positive. Today, we find several million people engrossed in world religion. In Paul's day it was also so. He attested to the zeal of Israelites towards God, which was misdirected (Romans 10:1-2). He, too, had great zeal to serve God much earlier in life. But because this zeal was also misdirected, he ended up fighting against the God he thought he was fighting for. To be effective, zeal should be backed by sound knowledge of God's Word. Jesus Christ had great zeal. In fact, Scripture says that he was consumed by zeal towards God. He channelled his zeal correctly. He said: 'I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.' He said working for God was his food. We ought to learn from his zeal.
When zeal is properly channelled to glorify God, it can be contagious and highly rewarding. From our text, Barak failed to subdue Israel through a curse. But he succeeded later when the people started to commit fornication and idolatry with the beautiful ladies of Moab. As a result God instructed that these culprit be killed. Right in the middle of this, with great sorrow in the Israeli camp, a man walked into their midst with one of the forbidden ladies, disregarding even Moses. He passed by his front. A Levite named Phinehas saw this and was filled with holy zeal against sin. He took a javelin, went after the couple and killed them.
The judgement he executed as a servant of God on the culprits spared the whole nation the widespread judgement that was imminent. His zeal earned him a covenant of everlasting peace and priesthood. How zealous are you for God? How do you channel that zeal today? If you demonstrate unusual zeal towards God, and do what none has ever done for him, you could earn a breakthrough that will affect several generations after you for good.
Zeal towards God can be negative or positive. Today, we find several million people engrossed in world religion. In Paul's day it was also so. He attested to the zeal of Israelites towards God, which was misdirected (Romans 10:1-2). He, too, had great zeal to serve God much earlier in life. But because this zeal was also misdirected, he ended up fighting against the God he thought he was fighting for. To be effective, zeal should be backed by sound knowledge of God's Word. Jesus Christ had great zeal. In fact, Scripture says that he was consumed by zeal towards God. He channelled his zeal correctly. He said: 'I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.' He said working for God was his food. We ought to learn from his zeal.
When zeal is properly channelled to glorify God, it can be contagious and highly rewarding. From our text, Barak failed to subdue Israel through a curse. But he succeeded later when the people started to commit fornication and idolatry with the beautiful ladies of Moab. As a result God instructed that these culprit be killed. Right in the middle of this, with great sorrow in the Israeli camp, a man walked into their midst with one of the forbidden ladies, disregarding even Moses. He passed by his front. A Levite named Phinehas saw this and was filled with holy zeal against sin. He took a javelin, went after the couple and killed them.
The judgement he executed as a servant of God on the culprits spared the whole nation the widespread judgement that was imminent. His zeal earned him a covenant of everlasting peace and priesthood. How zealous are you for God? How do you channel that zeal today? If you demonstrate unusual zeal towards God, and do what none has ever done for him, you could earn a breakthrough that will affect several generations after you for good.
MEMORIZE:
PSALM 69:9 -Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of
those who reproach You have fallen on me.
