A Zealous Lord

Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. 
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Luke 1:32-36 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”
 
DO you live with a purposeful plan to accomplish tasks? Do you want those you work with to share your zeal? Is your passion focused on helping people live better lives? Do you affirm your family, friends and those who work with you? If so, you reflect the Lord God’s zeal for you to live under his sovereign love forevermore. 
   Isaiah describes how God’s purpose and passion is for the world. His rule will increase, and there will be no end to his peace. This is the restoration of all things to God’s holiness. One day God’s zealous plan will be complete. Christ will reign on David’s throne with justice and righteousness. He will reign forever. (See Revelation 21)
   Yes, God is zealous for his own, and he invites his own to join in his work. He will go even to a virgin and to an elderly woman to invite them into his zeal.
   God’s angel Gabriel spoke to Mary. He told her the One to be born will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. Gabriel continues: “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.” Further, his kingdom will never end. Five times the word “will” displays God’s zeal to accomplish his kingdom plan.
   There’s more. Mary asked, “How will this be?” Surely she was zealous to know the details. After all, Gabriel has just spoken a great mystery in God’s determined will for the world and for her life. Then Gabriel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come. The power of the Most High will overshadow you. The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Three more times the angel details what God’s will do.
   Then Gabriel further revealed God’s zealous plan: “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age.” With great simplicity, Gabriel powerfully summarizes God’s zeal, “Nothing is impossible with God.”
   Today through the Spirit extends The Almighty’s zeal to you. He points to each of us ordinary people and anoints us to become effective prophets, faithful mothers, servant fathers, teachable disciples, gifted writers, compassionate caregivers and powerful preachers. The Bible and church history records the many people who were zealous for God’s will to be done through their life’s work.
   In what way do you express God’s zeal to heal a broken world? When God says, “Nothing is impossible with God.” we must join with Mary to declare, “May it be to me as the Lord said.”
 
Prayer: May it be to me as you say, Lord. I pray I am zealous for your Kingdom to come, your will to be done on earth. Amen.