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. Sometimes 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 limitations upon us. God’s guidelines for our lives are always motivated from a perspective of genuine love, true love – the which… most of us have no true concept. If we could ever totally 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; or to be at a given pace at a specific time; or better yet.. to BEGIN a function at a given time. However, we have fallen short. Regardless to the reasoning that we may have given; regardless to the excuses or the “validations” that we may have presented ….we have not valued the love of God to the extent, that we will place it as our first priority. The spirit of pride is still masking its self in our lives. For example, when we are late, or when we procrastinate; we have decided that our “way of doing it” is better. By do so…we are placing other things ahead of God …. and 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 true 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 Holy Spirit; I ask you to assist me as I re-establish and continue to keep God as the focal point of my life. In my list of priorities, it is my desire to esteem God. I will have, and uphold an amended consciousness of Your love for me. Because I now understand Your unselfish, “no holds barred” love for me, I will immediately begin to 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; whether it be prestigious positions, business or personal relationships, money, assets – WHATEVER … it will now be moved a position of subordination. I will no longer “cheat on you” Lord. I will never again place my thoughts, motives or my actions in a position which will provoke you to display jealousy. I will not lean to my own understanding; but will truly acknowledge you in ALL of my dealings. You are number one in my life …. And my motives and my actions will now begin to reflect the same.
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