“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
--Exodus 20:4-6
A lot of people misinterpret the Scripture when it says that God is a jealous God. Because we tend to think of jealousy as an ugly thing. But jealousy can actually be a very beautiful thing.
For example, as a husband, I’m jealous for my wife’s fidelity. And my wife is jealous for my fidelity. We have a holy jealousy for each other because we have been separated unto one another in the sacred covenant relationship of marriage. So we have the right to be jealous!
So when you think about God’s jealousy, it’s not that he’s jealous of you. He’s jealous for you. He’s jealous that his glory be revealed in you. He’s jealous that his best would be given for you. He’s jealous that you would experience life as he has promised.
So let me ask you an honest question today. When you think about your relationship with God as a covenant love relationship, are there areas of your life where you’re giving him reason to be jealous?
Or to put it another way, are there areas of your life where you’re being unfaithful to God? Have you set up idols in your heart that have taken his place?
If so, I want to encourage you not to settle for those substitutes! Don’t settle for man-made gods that rob you of the pleasure and excitement of really knowing him. Don’t settle for substitute gods that can’t deliver you, that can’t give you hope, that can’t comfort you, and that can’t take you to heaven. Don’t settle!
Instead, focus on truly giving him his rightful place to rule and reign in your life, to rule with no rivals. Then he will be worshipped, your life will be transformed, and your children and your children after them will be blessed.
ARE THERE AREAS OF YOUR LIFE WHERE YOU’RE BEING UNFAITHFUL TO GOD?
Thursday, July 11, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.”
Job 4:6-9
When Job lost everything in a single day, it was because God had allowed Satan to take away his possessions. In this great hardship, just as God knew he would, Job maintained his faith in the Lord. As word of the disaster spread, three of Job’s friends came to try to comfort him. They were good enough friends to come and see Job, yet as sometimes happens, they were more of a discouragement and burden than a help. Eventually Job said, “I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all” (Job 16:2).
The problem was that Job’s friends made a mistake that is still common in our day. They assumed that the reason behind the tragedy was some hidden sin in Job’s life. Their conclusion was that Job’s suffering was a punishment from God. While it is true that God does chasten His children and there are times when suffering in our lives is a result of our disobedience to God, it is also true that there are many godly Christians who are walking with the Lord in obedience and yet are enduring great hardship.
We need to be careful not to blame the innocent—either to ourselves, to others, and especially to the person who is hurting—and assume that some hidden sin is being judged before our eyes. It is not our responsibility to make those determinations. “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4).
Today's Growth Principle:
Rather than assuming those who are suffering had it coming, we should offer them comfort and hope.
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