April 5 Daily Devotional

Zeal for God's House

the Rev. David Freeman

"The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up"
"John 2:17.

Devotional

The disciples interpreted our Lord's action in driving out the money changers from the temple in the light of these words of the Psalmist. (Ps. 69:9.)

Love for God's house was so strong in Him that He could not stand idly by and see it desecrated. This love was due to a supreme love to God, which is never lazy and careless when God's honor is at stake.

Cold love never makes one instant in duty. The lack of a Savior's love shed abroad in the heart lies at the bottom of indifference to God's glory. Many are now in this condition. Few there be that love the Savior passionately.

If those who call themselves by His name would only taste of His goodness and see His beauty they would be so exercised as to forget all else. They would labor for love to Him. Burning hearts make working hands.

Without zeal, as without faith, it is impossible to please God. Zeal tones up every grace given by the Spirit. It is as oil to the wheels of the soul, to make it run sweetly after the Lord. When there is no zeal, then growth in grace is not real.

(to be continued)

"Lift Up Your Heart" is a series of devotionals by the late Rev. David Freeman, an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church for most of his life. These devotionals, in fact, are part of the early history of our denomination. The first of them was published in The Presbyterian Guardian in 1935; the denomination now known as the Orthodox Presbyterian Church was officially formed in 1936. We believe that "the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8; see 1 Peter 1:25). Thus it is no surprise that meditations based on that Word have continued relevance today. Dr. Freeman's devotionals are proof of that fact.

David Freeman was a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary (Th.B., 1928; Th.M. , 1930) and of Dropsie Univiersity (Ph.D., 1951). He served as pastor at Grace (later New Covenant) Presbyterian Church (OPC), Philadelphia, PA (1936-1946), Knox Presbyterian Church (OPC), Philadelphia, PA (1949-1962), and Grace Presbyterian Church (OPC), Fall River, MA (1962-1967). He authored many articles and (along with his son, David H. Freeman) is the author of the book A Philosophical Study of Religion, which appeared in 1964. He went to be with the Lord in 1984.

There is one change from the way the daily devotional was handled in the past with John Skilton's Think On These Things: New devotionals for the new series appear on weekdays only (Monday through Saturday. It is suggested that you use your pastor's sermon text(s) as the basis for your mediations on the Lord's Day.

We trust that you will find these devotionals, once again made available seventy years after they first appeared, to be a personal help in your own Christian walk today!