If you’ve read my book, Diamonds from the King, you’ll know that have struggled with my identity in Christ. My biggest temptation is to go back into a place of fear and performance with God, trying to do the right things to get him to love me. Even though God has shown me his love in so many ways, it’s easy for me to move out of relationship back into religion.

The latest way that he has spoken to me about this is through a Biblical phrase that we often read at Christmas. It is from Isaiah 37:32; the zeal of the Lord shall accomplish this. I’ve heard this phrase many times, of course, but it’s never struck me before. But this Christmas it was ringing in my ears, resounding in my head and my heart, and I felt called to meditate on it.

Zeal is an interesting word, that we don’t use much. I looked up definitions of zeal, and I liked this one from Merriam-Webster: eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something: fervour. Or the default Microsoft one: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective. To have zeal is to do something wholeheartedly, passionately, energetically.

I realised that my normal picture of God is fairly passive – that I don’t think of Him having zeal. I think that I’m the one who should have zeal, to try to move God. I think that it is my job to sort myself out, and to earn his love and attention. But right through the Bible we see God working, to bring about his purposes. Romans 8:28 (my favourite verse) says that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. Philippians 1:6 says that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. And Ephesians 3:20 says that he is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

When we pray, we are not trying to twist the arm of a bored, uninvolved father. We don’t have to strive to gain the attention of someone who is busy with more important things. We are not neglected kids, trying to bring ourselves up and sort ourselves out. God is working in us to transform us into his image (2 Cor 3:18) and mature us to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13). God is God, and so he can always give each of us his full attention. He is never too busy for us. He is zealous for our good, working wholeheartedly, energetically and enthusiastically to accomplish it. And the zeal of God is powerful – more than we can ask or imagine!

This doesn’t mean that we are to be passive. I can’t imagine that a zealous God would desire passive kids. Philippians 2:12b-13 expresses this well; “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” We work because God works in us. His purpose for us is good, and he gives us the honour of working with him to accomplish it, but ultimately it is his work. Ephesians 2:10 says a similar thing. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. God works, and so we work. Our work comes out of his strength and creativity. It is in response to his amazing love in making us his beloved children, not in order to earn a place in his heart.

I’m excited by God being zealous. I’m excited to replace my inaccurate image of a passive God who I have to struggle to move with the picture of God zealously at work in us and for us, to bring about his good purposes. And I’m excited to join him, enthusiastically and passionately participating in his work.

Does any of this resonate with you? Let us know in the comments!

Hi, I'm Chris!

I'm an Australian Christian author, blogger and speaker who has published one book - Diamonds from the King - which is a book of stories from my life of ways that God has worked to bring precious diamonds from suffering, disappointment and confusion.

I'm a mum, granny and wife and I love spending time with my grown kids and my four and counting grandkids, but my greatest passion is to get to know God better, and to share his wonder with the world.