Unchecked Zeal - 2 Chronicles 35:21 2 Chronicles chapters 34 - 35 records the reign of King Josiah, another of the few "good kings" of Israel. 2 Chron 34:2 tells us this about Josiah;
He did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right. 2 Chron 34:2
What a great testimony, that during his life there was not a single reported instance where he failed to do right in the sight of the Lord. A true man of integrity!
But Josiah did have a weakness; Apparently he had a propensity to get involved in things that didn't concern him. God had sent the Egyptian King Neco on a mission (chapter 35), and upon hearing that the Egyptian army was passing through, Josiah made the decision to send his army out against them. Bad call, as it wasn't Josiah's fight, and furthermore, God had not instructed Josiah to fight the Egyptians. King Neco even tried to give him an out:
"What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you." 2 Chronicles 35:21
Josiah disregarded Neco's warning, engaged him in battle, and ended up being mortally wounded.
Why did Josiah go out against Neco? It may have been pride (how dare they come near us), or perhaps he was worried what his people would think (How could the king let Neco and his army pass by?), or Josiah may have thought it was his duty to fight the Egyptians. Either way, Josiah had a case of unchecked zeal. Zeal can be a good thing, properly directed. Unchecked zeal, on the other hand, can get us into all sorts of trouble.
When we're making a decision to engage in something, we should always check out motives:
Am I being motivated by pride? Pride is a terrible motivation for a decision, as the bible teaches us that prideful decisions being destruction:
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov 16:18
Am I being motivated by what others might think? Another terrible motivation is to make decisions based on how we think we'll look to others, as the bible teaches us that these decisions become a snare for us:
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe Prov 29:25
Bottom line: Focus on the things that God has called you to be involved in, and let God worry about everything else.
But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 1 Thess 2:4
"Lord, help me to guard my heart from becoming proud and arrogant, and help me to focus on the things You've called me to."
Pastor Clay | 
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