Psalm 119: verses 139-140 (NIV)
My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
Hebrews chapter 3: verses 13-14 (NIV)
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
Two things leapt out at me today. Zeal – great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective can be a good thing, particularly if it’s a zeal for the things of God. However, we need to make sure that we are not acting on our own strength or emotions. The reason I say this is that the Psalmist talks about his zeal wearing him out. I don’t think that’s God’s intention. If He wants us to do something, He will give us the means and the strength to do it, so let’s be careful not to over-extend ourselves and be so busy doing things for God that we are not spending time with Him and on the things that He really wants us to. That being said, I think being zealous is better than its opposite characteristic, which is apathy. It can be too easy also to leave things to someone else rather than put ourselves out a little. Its important to get the balance right and allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
When we are zealous it is also easy to become disappointed and disheartened. The devil is quick to jump on that. That’s why its important for us to make sure we make a point of encouraging others in their faith journey. Things will not always go as we expect them to. Sometimes we are tested to see how easily we are tempted to give up when things don’t go as we had hoped they would. The Psalmist tells us in today’s verses that God’s promises have been thoroughly tested and we know that they can be relied on. Nicky Gumbel often says, “A faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted.” That’s when the right kind of zeal will cause us to persevere and stand on God’s promises.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that You know what’s right for us. Help me to be diligent but mindful of the Holy Spirit’s directing, as opposed to my good intentions. I am grateful that You have proven time without number how Your promises can be trusted. Thank You too for every encouragement I have received over the years to continue on in Your ways. Help me to be always ready to encourage others to do the same, so that we are all found faithful at the very end, no matter what crosses our path. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.