BEING ZEALOUS
01st Feb 2012
The book of Nehemiah tells of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and in chapter 3 verse 20 it says, “Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section…” Building walls was not a particularly glamorous task and the attitude of the workers varied, it says of the nobles of Tekoa that they “would not put their shoulders to the work,” perhaps they thought wall building was beneath them, and yet Hananiah, “one of the perfume makers, made repairs,” so he was out of his comfort zone.
Why was Baruch noticed as one who built zealously? I do not know, but God spoke to me as I read these verses, He said, “There are a lot of folk our there who are seeking to follow God with all their hearts, and yet they wonder whether it ever does any good.”
Jesus was zealous; in John 2:17 it says, “His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” When I was growing up, and was being asked to do some rather unglamorous task, and was not looking too cheerful about it, my father would quote to me from Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” I did not appreciate it at the time, but I value those words now.
In Nehemiah 6:15-16 it says “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God."
An amazing task had been completed and there is no mention of Baruch, but his part had been of the greatest importance. There are some of you who are zealous for God in your prayer and in obedience to his call on your life, and you are wondering whether it has any effect. God sees your heart – being zealous is always effective.
PS - There is a new video available for you by Joyce - My Prosperity Coat!
This is the first in a series of video's giving testimony to wonderful ways that God has provided both for Joyce and our family. Watch and enjoy.
Here in the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYvIH7CUup0&context=C30527c5ADOEgsToPDskIcQwHJRVKHsMCS5Ttt_5C-
by Charles Sibthorpe
