September 9
Isaiah 3:1-5:30; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 22:28-29
Can jealousy ever be a good thing? In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul speaks of the "godly jealousy" which he has for the church. This jealousy he compares to that of a marriage. As a wife should expect her husband to remain committed to her, so Paul says the church should remain committed to God.
This language of jealousy is used for God toward his people a number of times in the Bible. Exodus 20:5 says, "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God." Deuteronomy 4:24 says, "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." James 4:4 says, "Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?" We can rejoice in the fact that God is jealous towards us because it means he longs for us to be completely given over to him. He does not want a piece of us, just some of our devotion, or a little commitment; he longs for all of us to be surrendered to him. When we are jealous it often flows out of pettiness, selfishness, envy, or pride. But God’s jealousy flows out of love.
Father God, thank you that you are jealous. Thank you that you desire all of me to be lived in communion with you. Help me know life is found in you alone and to live through you, with you, and for you. Help me to honor you in all I do today. Amen.
Question of the day: Why is it a good thing that God is jealous toward us?
Can jealousy ever be a good thing? In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul speaks of the "godly jealousy" which he has for the church. This jealousy he compares to that of a marriage. As a wife should expect her husband to remain committed to her, so Paul says the church should remain committed to God.
This language of jealousy is used for God toward his people a number of times in the Bible. Exodus 20:5 says, "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God." Deuteronomy 4:24 says, "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." James 4:4 says, "Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?" We can rejoice in the fact that God is jealous towards us because it means he longs for us to be completely given over to him. He does not want a piece of us, just some of our devotion, or a little commitment; he longs for all of us to be surrendered to him. When we are jealous it often flows out of pettiness, selfishness, envy, or pride. But God’s jealousy flows out of love.
Father God, thank you that you are jealous. Thank you that you desire all of me to be lived in communion with you. Help me know life is found in you alone and to live through you, with you, and for you. Help me to honor you in all I do today. Amen.
Question of the day: Why is it a good thing that God is jealous toward us?
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