“You shall not make for yourselves an idol …. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.”
Exodus 20:4-5a
I shared my new faith in Jesus with a friend during lunch, urging her to accept Jesus as her personal Savior. She appeared to be interested. But the conversation ended when she said, “I refuse to respect a God who is ‘jealous.’” As a new Christian, I was stumped. I hadn’t given any thought to God being a jealous God. Somewhere along the line she recalled this about God and did not like it. I wish I had explained to her then that God’s jealousy is like the feeling she would have if she saw her husband turning his back on her to choose another woman.
Because He loves us, God longs for our devotion. When we spend more time on social media than with Him, of course He is jealous. When we refuse to take time each week to worship alongside other believers, He is grieved. He wants us to draw near to Him.
All of this confirms that the Lord’s love for us is personal and real. Satan will always try to pull us away from being passionately in love with God. But his efforts fall flat in the face of the One who calls us His beloved.
Because He loves us, God longs for our devotion. When we spend more time on social media than with Him, of course He is jealous. When we refuse to take time each week to worship alongside other believers, He is grieved. He wants us to draw near to Him.
All of this confirms that the Lord’s love for us is personal and real. Satan will always try to pull us away from being passionately in love with God. But his efforts fall flat in the face of the One who calls us His beloved.
Scripture Focus
Exodus 20:1-5
Insight
Thank You, Lord, that You love me so much You are jealous for me. Thank You that You long to spend time with me. Forgive my unfaithfulness. Amen
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 27-28
- Psalm 14
- Matthew 22
