This weekly word post is taken from Francis Frangipane’s book, “Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God”. Enjoy!
“You shall not worship any other god, for the Lord Whose name is Jealous, is a Jealous God!” (Exodus. 34:14)
The Lord did not say He was, at times, jealous; he said His Name, which reveals His nature, is Jealous. Right next to His Name, “I AM” is His Name “JEALOUS”. His love is not some ethereal principle of “higher cosmic consciousness”. His love is focused upon us, actually jealous for us as individuals. He “calls His own sheep by name” (John 10:3). Jesus knows your name. he loves you personally. The fact that Christ is jealous for us as individuals, caring and providing for each aspect of our lives; and that the suffered humiliation and death on the Cross to pay for our sins, demonstrates how great a love is with which he loves you. He gave all. He deserves all.
His jealousy for us is perfect. It is not he same as human jealousy; petty, possessive, and insecure. He is not sitting in Heaven wringing His hands, wondering what we really think of Him. his jealousy is based upon His pure love for us and His desire to bless us ad fulfill our lives in Him. he understands us, yet knowing our weaknesses, he still “jealously desires the spirit He has made to dwell in us” (James 4:5). His promise to us is faithful: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). he refuses to stop loving us. You may think of yourself as a sinner, as unlovable; as though no one wants you, but Jesus desires you.
Early in my ministry, upon occasion I gave up on certain individuals, people who seemed to me hopelessly unreceptive to God. As the years passed, I would later discover these same individuals were now walking with God. Jesus is faithful. he loves you with a love that is jealous for you as a person.
God knows, however, that in order for you experience his love, the idols of self and sin must be destroyed. And to prove our intentions and love for Him, He tells us to smash these idols.
Exodus 34:12 Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. 13 Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. 14 Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Would you [desire to] be holy? Then remove the idols of self and sin from within you. For holiness exists in a soul purified by love; is exudes like incense from a heart without idols.
Jessie Still 