“The Lord . . is a jealous God.” Exodus 34:14 NKJV
“God’s jealousy is not a fear of His loss, but of yours!”
My thoughts today are about “simple devotion to Christ.”
I don’t particularly like the idea of jealousy. So when God is described as jealous, I am at first a bit uncomfortable. What comes to your mind when you think of jealousy? Not pretty, is it? Often that kind of jealousy is accompanied by insecurity, suspicion, distrust, possessiveness, control, accusations, disappointment, hurt, anger, and ultimately alienation. Those things are relationship killers, not builders in friendships and marriages.
You and I have mostly seen the human style of jealousy – flawed love gone awry. I would observe that the everyday variety of jealousy is more about the insecurity of the person who is jealous than the person about whom they are jealous. What you have often seen is probably a distortion of a truly jealous heart.
The jealousy described as God’s emotion is the truest of loves that passionately desires only the highest and best for the one beloved, whatever His personal sacrifice that requires. For your sake, God is protective of your relationship with Him. He knows well the serious, eternal implications of anything – small or large – that you would allow to separate you from His love in the least of ways. God’s jealousy is protective of you, with regard only for your safety and well-being.
When you look to anything or anyone else for the things that God alone can provide you – security, purpose, worth, contentment, devotion – you give a person or thing a place that belongs only to God. God is jealous at such times. He is not jealous of that person or thing, nor threatened by them; He is jealous for you. Any relationship that you allow to fill His place – any possession that you prize above Him – any activity that becomes more important than obedience – any companionship that you desire more than His becomes an idol that will compromise your wholeheartedness of relationship with God. “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols . . keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your heart.” 1 John 5:21 NIV/NLT. That is good advice for the soul.
Whatever fills your heart and life to the diminishing of your heart for God lessens your experience of the best that He purposes for you. Paul expressed God’s jealousy this way, “I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God Himself. “For I promised you as a pure bride to one husband, Christ. I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 NLT.
I find it interesting that the Bible compares the spiritual danger you face everyday with the original sin in the Garden. No one of us is immune from the subtle temptations that could lure you from a “pure and simple devotion to Christ.” God’s jealousy is not a fear of His loss, but of yours! God places His seal upon your life – “God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are His own.’” 2 Timothy 2:19 NIV – a seal not to be broken.
My prayer for you today is to rest secure in His unfailing love, completely content there.