Joyful Jealousy - 30 Days of Thankfulness

Jesus is jealous, and I love Him for it.

Generally, when we call a person jealous, we consider that a fault. We point to the proverbial Green Monster and tag that individual as overly possessive, selfish, egotistical, and controlling.

Not so with our Lord.

The Redeemer has every right to be jealous.

In Deuteronomy 6:15, we read this: “the LORD your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God” (NLT). Our Creator, the God of the Universe, desires the full adoration and allegiance of His people. He will settle for nothing less.

And so does the Savior.

But the jealousy of the Divine is not mean or vindictive or self-centered, as human jealousy so often tends to be. His jealousy does not seek to trap us in our trespasses or bind us against our wills.

He simply craves our devotion and eternal delight, which rightly belongs only to Him. His jealousy is well-placed and appropriate. Still, in His great love and perfect justice, Jehovah God offers each of us a choice.

Whom will we worship? 

Will we choose to love God or another? He does not force our hands or our hearts, but He surely aches for us to aim our affections Heavenward.

Jesus said:

"Anyone who isn't with Me opposes Me, a

and anyone who isn't working with Me

is actually working against Me.

(Luke 11:23, NLT)

What a wonder. The Lord of all Creation loves me and you enough to set His heart on lovingly drawing our devotion.

When any of us catches the tiniest glimpse of His glory, we cannot help but worship Him. The Lord alone is worthy of all honor and praise.

I’m thankful for Jesus’ jealousy. In fact, it makes me joyful.

I'm in love with the Lover of my Soul, and I want to love Him more. I want to work with Him, not against Him. I want to adore what He adores and abhor what He abhors. Mostly, I want to aim for His heart, for that’s where Heaven may be found.

Oh, God. Direct my aim and my affections, and draw me in the right direction.

For what are you thankful?

Image/s:

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well

By Guercino

Circa 1640

Thankful at Thanksgiving

Adapted from public domain artwork

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