Day 268-269, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Nehemiah 9:38–11:36; 1Chronicles 9:1b-34; Nehemiah 12. Note: Since this is a two day study it is suggested that the Bible reading be read the first day and the devotional be read on the second.
Four Ways to Keep or Renew Zeal for God
On this date in September, most students in the U.S. have spent about thirty days in school. When children began school, many were eager to learn, respond, and volunteer. Over time, however, eagerness waned. They lost their zeal.
What is Spiritual Zeal?
Spiritually speaking, at the beginning of our relationship with the LORD, we were eager, too. Our hearts were challenged and changed; we mourned over our wrongs, immediately sought forgiveness from God, and changed our ways.
We felt clean! We were excited! We wanted to pray, witness, read God’s Word, do good works, influence our world, and honor the Lord in any way we could!
How do we renew and keep our zeal for him? That was precisely the concern of the Israelites. What they did may serve as an example to help us.
After seventy years of exile in Babylon, God worked in the heart of King Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to their land and rebuild their temple. They did this despite the threats and legal actions against them to stop the work. Later, more opposition stopped the work on the walls.
One-hundred and fifty years later, the walls of Jerusalem were still in ruins. Nehemiah asked and received permission from King Artaxerxes of Persia to complete the task.
God was helping them. And, because of Nehemiah and the people’s diligence and determination, the walls were rebuilt in only fifty-two days. Their hostile neighbor nations feared the LORD, for the task would have been impossible without his help.
Four ways to keep our zeal
God gave Israel a great victory, and the Jewish people celebrated a festival to him. During this time, they requested that the Scriptures be read. However, when they heard God’s Word, they mourned their and their fathers’ sins.
Nehemiah told them this was not a time for grieving; this was a time for rejoicing, for they were seeking to obey God and were enjoying his favor! Their grief turned to joy.
1. Keep our zeal by making a commitment
In today’s Bible reading, the Israelites want to maintain the same enthusiasm for serving God, which they now feel. So, the Israelites make a binding agreement with him. This was patterned after the Suzerain Treaty of the day (more…).They agree to
- separate themselves from the neighboring nations and to follow the Law of Moses, so they can avoid idol worship and all evil
- not inter-marry with individuals from other countries. This will keep them from worshipping false gods.
- not break the Sabbath by allowing commerce on Sabbath days.
- let a rotating portion of their fields go fallow every seven years so the land can experience a time of rest, and to cancel all debts that year.
- take care of Solomon’s rebuilt temple, God’s place of favor.
- pay the temple tax and not neglect the service of the LORD or his place of worship.
2. Keep our zeal by holding ourselves accountable
To make themselves accountable to keep the covenant, the Jewish people put their names on a written record.
Although we are not Jews and do not have a temple, we can do something similar to what the Israelites did. To maintain our zeal for the LORD, we can find out what pleases the LORD and make a commitment to him. Then, to hold ourselves accountable, we can put our promise in writing and bind ourselves to it. By affixing our signature to a plan that honors God, we are more likely to keep our commitments to the LORD.
3. Keep our zeal by assigning responsibilities
To keep their commitments to the LORD, the Jews were given assignments.
On a rotation basis, the people were to make sure the LORD house was not neglected. They were to supply wood for the sacrifices. All of the Israelites were to bring the firstfruits of their harvest, herds, flocks, and dedicate their firstborn sons to the LORD. One-tenth of the money they received from the sale of their goods and services was given to the LORD. All this was to maintain the temple.
Priests were to offer the sacrifices, light the lamps, replace the showbread, and keep things in good order. Gatekeepers were to unlock and lock the gates of the temple. Levites would supervise the grain bins within the temple that feeds the serving Levites. Continual music in God’s house would be sung and played in testimony to his glory. The temple was a place of worship.
How much do we care about our house of worship? Are we keeping it clean and in good repair? Do we supply the needs of those who minister in our church? Do we provide an atmosphere of worship in the house of God? In what area of service does the LORD want us involved? We need to be careful to do our tasks well—the LORD is the Almighty King of the heavens and the earth! He is deserving of all our love and devotion.
4. Keep our zeal by being attentive
The people of Israel were careful to follow the prescriptions of God’s Law for their service. We may serve the Lord, but how should we serve him? Do we serve him as he desires ? We must read God’s Word and follow it to know how we should serve.
Here are some instructions the Apostle Paul left for Christians today:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will...
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:1- 2, 10- 11, NIV)
Discussion
What is spiritual zeal? How does it start, and why does it wane?
What are four ways we can keep or renew our zeal for the LORD? Why are they important?
Are there other ways we can keep or renew our zeal for the LORD?
Focus Verse
Psalm 50:14 (NIV)“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send me your prayer requests or comments and pray for this ministry. Thank you.
Looking Ahead: We need to Be Faithful, and not Fall from God’s Favor by keeping our commitments. However, if we have failed and fallen, the Next Lesson will help us be restored once more. Join us!
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