God’s Jealousy (pt. 2)
Today O God, may I not provoke your anger.
“El KANNA”
(The Jealous God – Exodus 20:5)
“You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,” Exodus 20:5
“El ZELOO”
(The jealous God – James 4:4&5)
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? James 4:4-5 NKJV
Read James 4
Although we may not view it from this perspective; the truth is still very evident. We are – knowingly or through ignorance; forcing God to reveal another character quality which is motivated by His love for us. That expression is His jealousy.
We must always remain cognizant that every attribute of God that He reveals to us; is still His attempt to get us to understand His love for us. It is because of that love, that He only desires for us to acquire the best in every arena. Many times, because we don’t fully understand this total concept of God’s love for us; we think that He has established unrealistic demands or limits on us. God’s guidelines for our lives, are always motivated from a perspective of genuine love, true love – the which we have no true concept. If we could ever understand His love – then we would have no problem adhering to His word – Regardless.
As I so often have stated; when in our lives, we have not received the proper application of unselfish love; then, we in return are more prone to lack the ability to properly love God. In life, this is the reason why we can willingly and willfully disobey Him and reject His love – through our displays of disobedience. Whenever we decide to walk according to our own desires or to delight ourselves in what the world has to offer; we are rejecting the love of God. In reality I am saying – “God I Still Don’t Understand Your Love For Me!” The same holds true when we are engaged in procrastination, slothfulness and tardiness. Far too often the Lord has instructed us to do or say something in a given situation; however we have decided that our “way of doing it” is better. By do so…we are provoking Him to display His jealousy. Why? Because we have become like the world; and placed our thoughts, plans etc. superior to those of the Holy Spirit. Our actions may not reveal our intent – however they do reveal our final decisions!
The Message Bible states James 4:4-5 this way. “You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”
So Father God I will continue to keep you as the focal point of my life. In my list of priorities, I will esteem You. I will bring an amended consciousness to Your love for me. Because I understand Your unselfish, “no holds barred” for love for me, I will return the same. May I always remember that everything I do must be for no other reason - than to express to You and show others my love for You. Anything that has moved You from Your place of supremacy in my life; be it prestigious positions, business or personal relationships, money, assets – WHATEVER – will now be moved a position of subordination. I will no longer “cheat on you” Lord. You are number one in my life …. And motives and my actions will reflect the same.
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