Zeal and power

Background

Psalm 69:9 Because zeal for your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

John 2:17 then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house has eaten me up.”

The plea of David in Psalm 69:9, mirrors Jesus’ act in John 2:17. In Psalm 69:9 David makes an urgent plea for help to God , in his discourse he shares the reasons for his plea. Jesus in John 2, he found in the temple those who who had turned the temple into a place of trade, He firmly drove them out after which his disciples at this scenery remembered what was written afore time concerning this major event. Let’s get into the word…

Definitions of Zeal and Power.

Zeal refers to great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective. Which means zeal is driven out by an emotion or an excitement.In search of the meaning of power, three definitions came across; the ability or capacity to do something or acts in a particular way, the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events and physical strength and force exerted by something or someone.

The act of zeal

David in his discourse in Psalm 69, cries out to the Lord for help in his time of trouble however the basis for the the claim made in verse 9 can be traced in Psalm 119:139 and 132:1-5, down to John 2:17. In Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the bible David talks about His love for the principles of God and here again in verse 139 he touches upon his zeal for law of God when his foes forget the word of God. Down to Psalm 132:1-5, Lord, remember David And all his afflictions; How he swore to the Lord, And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: “Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, Or go up to the comfort of my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes Or slumber to my eyelids, Until I find a place for the Lord, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” David here shows zeal in ensuring a dwelling for the Lord , however in 2 Samuel 7 David set in his heart to build a dwelling for the Lord, the Lord reveals through Nathan that rather the seed of David will be the one the build for him. In 1 Chronicles 28, David tells of how he had set in his heart to do this and even made preparations for it, but the Lord commanded him not to because David was a man of war and his hands had shed blood. In all, David’s zeal still did not suffice to establish the plan of God. Zeal is not authority . Zeal only is not the prescription to seeing to the will of God being fulfilled.

In Genesis 49:10, Jacob decrees that the scepter shall not depart from Judah, a symbol of authority for the tribe. However that authority for rulership did not come with the permission nor the power for David to build the Lord’s house. The requirement to fulfill the authority of God and His plan is to continue strong in keeping His commandments and rules (1 Chronicles 28:7).

Power as authorization and instruction

This brings us to ‭‭John‬ ‭2:13-19, “Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” The reason for Jesus’ act was to emphasize the purpose of the temple of God, a house of prayer. After which the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up in three days.The temple was not a mere physical building but the Lord sought a means to make His dwelling with man. In the old testament the physical building was set up because no man was found worthy of the course of action. This was only found in Jesus, His life was the true living sacrifice that restored the presence of God back to man(Hebrews 9).

Power activated through obedience

David had zeal to fulfill purpose however this purpose came with a requirement as aforementioned, the consecrated life,which was the main goal. God does not want men in the choices of their own terms fulfilling His purpose, but they that live the life that pleases Him, He gives the authority to fulfill His purpose. Jesus after fulfilling the demands of consecration, a life devoted to obedience and righteousness, therefore His death redeemed us(Hebrews 9:11-28). Zeal and power go hand in hand, zeal needs power to manifest, zeal is not purpose, man can by his own zeal choose to do an act, but power through obedience gives the authority to fulfill purpose. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells his disciples, “but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The power of the Holy Spirit is here promised in order for the disciples to take on the command and fulfill purpose. In our pursuit to do God’s bidding, do not take off by your own capacity, zeal without power is effort that can be dethroned, but when we have been empowered in alignment with God, we can bear witness that lasts for ages. Power depends on obedience, zeal can lead to disaligment as it is only driven by the desire of man. Desire to fulfill purpose through zeal and empowerment.This is the called and fearless life.