Yesterday we talked about how the Day of the Lord was a day of “Cleaning House” spiritually. Because God is holy, He cannot let sin remain and on the Day of the Lord He will do away with it forever. Today we encounter another profound characteristic of God that is tied to the Day of the Lord – His jealousy.
It is really important for us to realize that God's jealousy is nothing like ours. Human jealousy tends to be founded on selfishness and insecurity. But God’s jealousy is grounded in His selfless and sacrificial love for us. Our jealousy usually stems from a desire to protect ourselves. God’s jealousy stems from His desire to protect us in a right relationship with Himself.
Because God is jealous, He is unwilling to allow any rivals that would lead us away from Him and down a destructive path. So the Day of the Lord will be a day when He finally removes all rivals. Zephaniah confidently declares, “In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.” (Zephaniah 1:18).
Zephaniah then goes on and identifies six common rivals that God’s holy jealousy will destroy on that day:
As we reflect on God's jealousy, it should bring comfort to our souls. Our Heavenly Father relentlessly pursues us, protects us, and provides everything we need to be in a loving relationship with Him. God’s jealousy reassures us that God cares so deeply for us that He won’t allow us to be wooed away by inferior substitutes and false loves.
So let’s examine our hearts today. Are there any rivals in our lives that are drawing us away from a faithful relationship with God?
It is really important for us to realize that God's jealousy is nothing like ours. Human jealousy tends to be founded on selfishness and insecurity. But God’s jealousy is grounded in His selfless and sacrificial love for us. Our jealousy usually stems from a desire to protect ourselves. God’s jealousy stems from His desire to protect us in a right relationship with Himself.
Because God is jealous, He is unwilling to allow any rivals that would lead us away from Him and down a destructive path. So the Day of the Lord will be a day when He finally removes all rivals. Zephaniah confidently declares, “In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.” (Zephaniah 1:18).
Zephaniah then goes on and identifies six common rivals that God’s holy jealousy will destroy on that day:
- Baal - worshiping power & success
- Stars of heaven - worshiping the stars, personal Horoscope
- Molek (means “king’) - divided allegiance between the Lord & the world
- Fashion - worshiping self-image
- Superstition - worshiping fear and anxiety
- Spiritual Complacency - worshiping the easy life
As we reflect on God's jealousy, it should bring comfort to our souls. Our Heavenly Father relentlessly pursues us, protects us, and provides everything we need to be in a loving relationship with Him. God’s jealousy reassures us that God cares so deeply for us that He won’t allow us to be wooed away by inferior substitutes and false loves.
So let’s examine our hearts today. Are there any rivals in our lives that are drawing us away from a faithful relationship with God?
Posted in devo