Friday, January 18, 2013

God Jealous?

Being what I consider a new Christian I have pondered God being a jealous God. I thought about it and couldn't understand how He could be jealous? Isn't He perfect? Aren't we taught to not be jealous? It was one thing I hadn't ever understood in the past 4 1/2 years in my relationship with the Lord. Until now.

So long ago I let it go but when it came up again the other day in conversation I found it interestingly enough a few days later the subject came up in church in a lesson. And WHAM. It hit me. I love how the Word of God does that! It just slaps me in the face and I know exactly what the truth is. No more disillusionment. This is evidence of the Holy Spirit that is at work in my life. He knows when I am pondering questions and seeking the truth and gives it to me just at the right time. Understanding the Word is a great gift of the Spirit and only by believing and accepting Christ does it come.

The Merriam Webster dictionary explains the word "Jealous" with the following definitions:

1a: intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness
 
 b: disposed to suspect rivalry or unfaithfulness
 
2: hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage

3: vigilant in guarding a possession
 
God has every right to be jealous when we are unfaithful to Him - He created us and wants to keep us as His children. Interesting how now something that was thought to be so bad is now a precious gift? That you and I are possessions of God.
 
Think of a time you felt jealous. It is a strong feeling and it is because you deeply care about someone and the thought of losing them hurts so much inside it can stir a bit of anger. Isn't that awesome that he loves us so much to feel this way about us when we choose to follow a path away from him? To know that He hurts and has a desire for us speaks strongly to my heart.
 
I don't know about you but it makes me want to be all the more close to Him.

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