What actions can we take to align with God's passion for His people? Zechariah 1:14 – God’s Fiery Passion “So the angel who was speaking with me said, ‘Proclaim that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.”’ ” What God’s Jealous Love Means • “Jealous” (qanah) highlights an intense, exclusive, covenant-keeping love. • His focus is Jerusalem and Zion—literal Israel, yet also a pattern for all who belong to Him (Romans 11:17-24; Galatians 6:16). • If His heart burns with zeal, ours must echo it. Action 1: Cultivate Exclusive Loyalty • Refuse rival affections. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). • Daily choose wholehearted obedience—no divided life (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37). • Celebrate His worth; worship that is undiluted honors His jealousy (Psalm 29:2). Action 2: Guard Holiness in Daily Life • God’s people mirror His nature: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Set boundaries that protect purity of mind, body, and speech (Ephesians 4:29; 5:3-4). • Confess sin quickly—sin tolerated cools zeal (1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:3-5). Action 3: Prioritize the Well-Being of God’s People • Invest time, gifts, and resources to build up the church (Ephesians 4:11-16). • Practice sacrificial love: “do good to everyone, and especially to the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). • Defend believers facing opposition the way Nehemiah defended Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 4:14-20). Action 4: Engage in Persistent Intercession • God’s jealousy fuels prayer for His people’s purity, unity, and restoration (Isaiah 62:6-7). • Pray for Israel’s salvation (Romans 10:1) and for the church to thrive (Colossians 1:9-12). • Stand in the gap like Moses, whose pleas averted judgment (Exodus 32:11-14). Action 5: Partner in His Work of Restoration • Encourage the discouraged; rebuild where faith has crumbled (Isaiah 58:12). • Share the gospel—God longs to gather a people from every nation (Matthew 28:19-20; Revelation 7:9). • Labor with confidence: “He who began a good work in you will perfect it” (Philippians 1:6). Action 6: Live with Expectant Hope • God’s passion guarantees the fulfillment of His promises to Israel and the church (Jeremiah 31:35-37; Romans 11:25-29). • Anchor hope in Christ’s return, when His zeal will bring final restoration (Zechariah 8:2-8; Titus 2:13). • Hope fuels perseverance—stay fervent, “serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11-12). Summing It Up Aligning with God’s passion means exclusive loyalty, holy living, practical care for His people, fervent intercession, active participation in His restorative work, and unshakable hope. His blazing zeal invites our wholehearted response. |
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