He is Jealous for me

“Do not worship any other god,

For the Lord, whose name is Jealous,

Is a jealous God.”

Exodus 34:14

My husband and I have been married for 32 years!  We very intentionally guard our marriage. When either of us is out of town we call at night. If we are travelling out of the country we try to text each other. If another woman flirted with my husband I would feel jealous and rightfully so, because my husband and I belong to each other. When you are in love with someone you jealously guard that relationship because it is precious to you!  What’s amazing about our relationship with God is that He feels jealous for our love!  Let that sink in for just a moment.   The God who created the universe, and hung the stars in space, feels jealous about your love. Isn’t that incredible?   It’s not an insecure jealousy it’s a righteous jealousy because He loves you beyond what you can imagine. He pursues you continually. In response to His love, He asks that you worship and praise Him alone!

Praise Challenge

Today praise God that He loves you as a jealous husband. Remind yourself that He is not insecure, but intensely and passionately in love with you. He longs and desires your love in return.  As you worship and adore Him think through how you might best guard your heart. What loves might you be tempted to put before God; love of affirmation or applause, love of money or power, love of art or music, love of food or entertainment or, love of your family of friends?   It can be difficult to discern whether or not we love God above all others. One way to protect our hearts is by being intentional in our praise. The power of praise is that it focuses our hearts on God and His love and we’re less apt to run after other lesser loves to fill the place that only He can fill.