Zeal from the Greek word ζῆλος (zelos). Definition: eagerness, zeal, rivalry; to have warmth of feeling for or against, to be zealous or jealous. Jesus Messiah had zeal for His Father’s house. He said to Jews who were profiteering in the temple, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Mark 11:17) After He made a whip of cords and drove the thieves out of the temple, His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house has consumed Me.’” (John 2:13-17)
King David who wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “Today, if you will hear His voice: ‘Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, when your fathers tested Me; they tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.’ So, I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” (Psalm 95:7-11)
Hardening of the heart is not something to hang onto. When God the Holy Spirit speaks, listen. Do not grieve God! “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
The disciples of Jesus had the zeal of the Lord. They prayed, “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31)
What was the outcome of such zeal for the Lord?
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” (Acts 4:32-35)
The outcome of their zealous faith in Jesus was oneness, sharing, and great witnessing for Jesus. God gave them GREAT GRACE! No one lacked anything. There was no needy among them.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please stir up zeal for Your house in the Name of Your Son Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit working among us who believe in You.”
King David who wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “Today, if you will hear His voice: ‘Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, when your fathers tested Me; they tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.’ So, I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” (Psalm 95:7-11)
Hardening of the heart is not something to hang onto. When God the Holy Spirit speaks, listen. Do not grieve God! “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
The disciples of Jesus had the zeal of the Lord. They prayed, “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31)
What was the outcome of such zeal for the Lord?
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” (Acts 4:32-35)
The outcome of their zealous faith in Jesus was oneness, sharing, and great witnessing for Jesus. God gave them GREAT GRACE! No one lacked anything. There was no needy among them.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please stir up zeal for Your house in the Name of Your Son Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit working among us who believe in You.”
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