7/27 Psalm 69:9

⁹ For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

When Jesus began His ministry, one of the first things He did was to make a whip and chase all the money changers and merchants from the Court of the Gentiles. That was the place the nations of the world were to come and pray to the God of Israel. Instead of being a quiet, meditative place, it was full of men competing for business. Jesus actions were quite audacious! He took charge over what the priests had permitted. To challenge a source of their income was putting His life at risk. The disciples, seeing Jesus' fury, recalled our verse for today (John 2:17).

Jesus was certainly concerned that the nations be drawn to the one true God, but He also knew this Temple would be torn down (Matthew 24:2). He knew the temple of God would consist of living stones, His followers. His demonstration showed us how zealous He is that our hearts not be distracted by a worship of wealth. Instead He would have us be focused on communion with Him in prayer. Then the world will be drawn to Him by our life.

The psalmist took very personally the reproaches people spoke toward the Temple. Jesus did as well. Every true believer will be filled with a consuming zeal to see that the testimony of God's house, the body of believers, attracts the world to the Son of God and all His goodness. The bad testimonies of those who claim to be Christians break our hearts because they misrepresent Him. Those who would divide church families grieve us because of the message it sends to the world.

Consider: Is the zeal for God's house consuming you? Do you personally feel the reproaches?