PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 69
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“For zeal for your house consumes me.” (Psalm 69:9)
David’s heart was on fire for God, even if it meant suffering.
His zeal was for building, maintaining and protecting God’s temple.
The temple represented God being ‘at home’ with his people.
In its time, it served as a reminder of God’s desire for all creation.
Through Jesus, God steps into the world to be with us.
John quotes this psalm to describe Jesus’s actions in the temple (John 2:17).
But it was not just for the building, it was for the people!
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Mark 11:17)
Do I share this passion for God and for God’s children?
Do I devote myself to building, maintaining and protecting God’s family?
My zeal is not for the church as a building, but as a people.
And not just those ‘in church’, but the WHOLE family of God.
Jesus is zealous for us to be zealous for the nations.
Jesus is consumed by zeal for me, and for all people everywhere… am I?
PRAYER
Lord, renew my passion for all people, that they may know your passion for them.
Life can be overwhelming – we see how many that suffer – the survivors of bombing – the displaced – the refugees. How people suffer! We want to see it stop – we want peace and reconciliation – we want justice and peace. In the face of it all, we need to be right with God. Jesus is the prince of peace – His kingdom will usher in peace, joy and love – his kingdom gives us hope. As the Psalmist writes: “But as for me, afflicted and in pain—may your salvation, God, protect me.” The salvation we have through Jesus saves us and gives us hope in spite of life’s circumstances!
God is with His people.
At all times I need to praise the Lord.
When persecuted, when all things seem to go wrong, I need to be faithful. God is with me and will deliver me. His hand protects. I need to put my trust in the Lord always and praise His name. As the creation praises His name so must I. People need to see that I am His and He is mine by my words and deeds. He is my Saviour.
God Himself is with us;
let us now adore Him
and with awe appear before Him!
God is in His temple;
all within keep silence,
prostrate lie with deepest rev’rence.
Him alone God we own,
Him, our God and Savior;
praise His name forever!