Many Bible people were passionate. Young King Josiah simply read a copy of the law of Moses. But the life he witnessed around him was so different from the life he read about in the book. Passion seized him, and through him, a nation. Idols were cast out, the Word of God was elevated. Revival broke out as a nation repented. That's what passion will do. One man can get it moving.

Jehu was also one of the kings. He was a king of Israel, as opposed to Josiah from Judah. His appointment was directly from God and he knew it. He decided to take it seriously. For the most part. Never was there a more zealous man than Jehu, in some respects. But his zeal was not whole-hearted enough to cover all that was in God's heart. His passion was personal and therefore limited.

Remember the passionate Psalmist who cried out, "As the deer pants for the water-brooks, so my soul pants for You." A thirsty seeker after God is a classic example of true passion properly directed.

Of course there has never been passion like that of Jesus. As a 12-year-old He was in the Temple asking and answering life's most important questions with the leaders of the day. His Father's business, He called it. It was His passion.

Twenty years later He visited that same Temple, whip in hand, to scatter the thieves that had taken over the House of Prayer. His house. This passion for the holiness of the House of God would lead to His death. Zeal for God's house literally ate Him up.

He cared about the things that Father cared about. The truth of God, the people of God, God Himself. Those were His passions, and He allowed them to consume Him.

What consumes you and me?