God’s zeal for the lost is a Christian’s zeal to proclaim

God’s zeal to not remain silent is a Christian’s zeal today. His passion is our passion. His sacrificial love for all people is what sparks Christians to step out of their comfort zones and proclaim his message of salvation.

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:1-5)

God’s love for all people and his passion are wonderfully described in the words recorded in the book of Isaiah.

The Israelites were longing for a Messiah to come and establish a new nation for God’s people — a new kingdom on earth under God’s rule. The Messiah did come in human form and was placed in a humble manger. And the heavenly hosts rejoiced! Our Savior lived and died for us. God kept his promises. But he was rejected and scorned. The Israelite people turned their backs on him.

How often do we turn our backs on God?

When we struggle to trust God his promises, we look for others to provide sanctuaries of peace, protection, or to maintain our standard of living. We worry. We become anxious. When things don’t go our way, our sinful nature tends to turn its back on God.

This is even true when God asks us to be his messengers.

In the very beginning was the Word – and the Word created light and life out of nothing. (John 1:1-5). By grace, the same Word creates life and faith for those dead in sin. God chooses his people out of darkness to be his church (1 Peter 2:9). God created his church by the power of His Word and he refuses to remain quiet about his workmanship. What God has provided for his people – full forgiveness and peace — he cannot keep silent. He announces his gift of grace through His Word. He uses his people to be witnesses and proclaim this message to others (Acts 1:8).  By the power of the Holy Spirit, he gives believers the strength to provide this message and works through this message to call others to believe. Through the proclamation of His Word he gathers believers and makes them his own until he returns.

God revealed himself in the times of Isaiah through the proclamation of His Word – so that His people could see his righteousness. Christians today convey that same power of His Word by proclaiming the gospel message of what Christ has already done. They bestow His righteousness because Christ lives in them. They provide the hand of God through his message and reveal the benefits believers receive from Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

With Christ in them, thankfulness bursts out like a “blazing torch” and believers cannot remain quiet or keep silent to witness what Christ has done for them.

I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and make her the praise of the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)

During the time of Isaiah, watchmen had essential responsibilities. They were posted to guard and protect those who lived within the walls of the castle. When danger loomed in the distance, it was their duty to loudly proclaim its arrival.

The Lord sets apart “watchmen” today. He provides a very clear picture of what He desires his church to do. They proclaim God’s message despite the consequences. They faithfully and boldly speak the Word of God. They cannot remain silent because this is what they have been commissioned to do. This role is not just for those who God has set apart to be his prophets and shepherds, but for every saint. They are set apart and chosen to be zealous witnesses and be fervent in prayer.

All believers have been commissioned to be his watchmen. We can prepare our hearts and minds for this important – essential – responsibility by trusting God’s vision that the harvest is plentiful, have compassion for the lost, and pray for faithful workers by asking, “Why not me?”

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God provides a miracle to proclaim the gospel in Rockwall, TX. Read the story here.