Jealous God
Our God is jealous, not out of selfishness but a passionate love for us. El Quanna, of the Hebrew language is found in both the old and new testaments of the Bible, Exodus, Deuteronomy and Revelation. 14 Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” Exodus 34:14 | NIV.
We have many names for God, however, El Quanta is one of the only names God calls Himself. 24 “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” Deuteronomy 4:24 | NIV. We worship what feels good emotionally and physically; marital or romantic relationships, material possessions, success, family, ect. However, Jesus calls us to a radical obligation, as He has radically committed to us.
Jesus wants an intimate relationship with us. 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us? ”28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” Matthew 19:27-29 | NIV.
Disappointingly, trouble is the most common reason we are drawn closer to God. It is so easy to draw near to God when faced with adversity. There are situations that no one can help us with except God; peace of mind, health, emotional wellness, joy, finance, just to name a few. When we seek friends or health care professionals about our circumstances, wise individuals turn to God in prayer. People generally lack the ability to help with emotional uncertainty or give peace. They turn to science, research, or even provide wise words of comfort, but Peace, can only be found in God.
We seek the counsel of God when our world is provoked, if we feel attacked or vulnerable. After all, He is our Abba (Daddy) God. What about when our world seems rosy? We forget to thank God for His presence in our daily lives, for protection, care and guidance. Each day we proceed with the basic routine of life and fail to realize that God’s hand is there helping, until we are too grieved, depressed or physically incapable of managing ourselves. We take basic function for granted. We take God’s existence in our lives for granted. We turn to Him for what we consider most important, after all, He is a powerful, Omnipotent God. On the contrary, our Father God wants to be sought and desires gratitude for even the mundane.
God expends intentional determination in our lives every day, and we are not reciprocal unless we feel it serves us. Like Peter, “What do we get for following you, Lord?” I would argue, we get His loving kindness, protection, peace, and His presence. To be present with the Lord is overwhelming joy and experiential Glory.
David wrote, in Psalm 16, a Miktam, a musical or literary term, 16:1 “Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” Psalms 16:1,2,7-11 | NIV.
David knew, God desires our faithfulness. Seek His face daily and dwell in His presence. We are the beneficiaries; we receive His glory, peace, joy, and most of all, we physically and emotionally experience His loving kindness and presence. “In the presence of the Lord there is true and lasting Joy” Nehemiah 8:10. Worship the Lord, show reverence, adoration and honor in physical and emotional praise with submission. Let’s demonstrate the love we have for God as He displays the Love, He has for us.