He is Jealous for You
A Valentine Devotional on God's Love
My big dog Sandy is the most perfect pet in the world.
She’s great with my kids, she rarely barks, and she knows just the right place in our back field to do her “business” (most of the time).
Other than a good “back side” scratch every now and then, Sandy really requires very little on my part. And when you’ve got five children vying for your attention, a low maintenance dog can be a blessing from heaven.
Recently, we’ve noticed something about Sandy, however, that’s a bit out of character for her.
You see, when my husband gets down on his knees to play with my youngest daughter, Sandy will often set her furry self between the two of them.
It seems that she’s trying to redirect the attention and fun back to herself. I think that our perfect dog is a bit jealous.
I understand the feeling of jealousy … I’m sure most of you do. It creeps up on us when we least expect it, and – Wham! – there it is making us say and do things that often we’re ashamed of later.
She’s great with my kids, she rarely barks, and she knows just the right place in our back field to do her “business” (most of the time).
Other than a good “back side” scratch every now and then, Sandy really requires very little on my part. And when you’ve got five children vying for your attention, a low maintenance dog can be a blessing from heaven.
Recently, we’ve noticed something about Sandy, however, that’s a bit out of character for her.
You see, when my husband gets down on his knees to play with my youngest daughter, Sandy will often set her furry self between the two of them.
It seems that she’s trying to redirect the attention and fun back to herself. I think that our perfect dog is a bit jealous.
I understand the feeling of jealousy … I’m sure most of you do. It creeps up on us when we least expect it, and – Wham! – there it is making us say and do things that often we’re ashamed of later.
When I was in graduate school, I was the editor in chief of our university’s newspapers.
I had two managing editors underneath me who took care of the nuts and bolts of each publication.
I hadn’t held my position very long, when something began to bother me about one of my managing editors.
You see, he was good … really good.
I had two managing editors underneath me who took care of the nuts and bolts of each publication.
I hadn’t held my position very long, when something began to bother me about one of my managing editors.
You see, he was good … really good.
He was a sharp reporter who knew his politics, and he put a fireball of energy into every task I gave him.
I struggled in my position to oversee this young man because, whenever I was around him, I wrestled with feelings of jealousy, and I even feared he would try to take over my job.
Jealousy is a part of our humanness I guess. But it’s a vice we can’t give in to. We need God’s strength to work it through in order to come out on top. I ended up having a heart-to-heart talk with my editor one day and we actually made it through a great year together.
Jealousy is often thought of as a bad thing, but did you know that some kinds of jealousy are good?
One of the definitions I found for it is: “vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.”
In the Bible, it says that even God can be jealous. Do you know what for? You and me! In Exodus 20: 3-5, God tells his children not to follow other gods.
It also says not to make idols for ourselves and worship and serve them. Why? Well, God explains himself saying that he is a ‘jealous’ God. You see, he wants us all to himself.
He doesn’t want us filling His place in our hearts with other things. I’m sure this is because he knows that an allegiance to anything else besides him would ruin us.
I struggled in my position to oversee this young man because, whenever I was around him, I wrestled with feelings of jealousy, and I even feared he would try to take over my job.
Jealousy is a part of our humanness I guess. But it’s a vice we can’t give in to. We need God’s strength to work it through in order to come out on top. I ended up having a heart-to-heart talk with my editor one day and we actually made it through a great year together.
Jealousy is often thought of as a bad thing, but did you know that some kinds of jealousy are good?
One of the definitions I found for it is: “vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.”
In the Bible, it says that even God can be jealous. Do you know what for? You and me! In Exodus 20: 3-5, God tells his children not to follow other gods.
It also says not to make idols for ourselves and worship and serve them. Why? Well, God explains himself saying that he is a ‘jealous’ God. You see, he wants us all to himself.
He doesn’t want us filling His place in our hearts with other things. I’m sure this is because he knows that an allegiance to anything else besides him would ruin us.
Just think about it.
Do you know people who worship things like money, sex, addictions or even Satan?
The Bible says that a good way to discern what’s inside a person is by their fruit. What kind of fruit do you see in the lives of people who serve false gods?
Do you know people who worship things like money, sex, addictions or even Satan?
The Bible says that a good way to discern what’s inside a person is by their fruit. What kind of fruit do you see in the lives of people who serve false gods?
_ There’s a worship song that’s so filled with the meaning of God’s great love for us that whenever I hear it, I am overcome with emotion.
In fact, Christian Musician David Crowder, says that when he heard the song for the first time, he sobbed uncontrollably in the middle of a plane ride. Today, The David Crowder Band performs the song beautifully for others.
With lyrics like, “He is jealous for me, Love’s like a hurricane, I am a tree … And I realize just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me,” the song, “How He Loves,” might just be the best Valentine you receive this year.
You can hear the song yourself by clicking here. And, well, you might just want to keep a box of tissues handy while you listen.
This Valentine’s Day, chocolates, roses and those cute little candy “conversation” hearts may help make your day special.
But whether or not you have a sweetheart in your life, know that the God who created the universe longs to be your biggest Valentine.
Here are some Bible verses that'll help you on your journey:
2 Corinthians 11:2 (New Living Translation)
For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.
Psalm 78:58 (New Living Translation)
They angered God by building shrines to other gods;
they made him jealous with their idols.
John 15:13 (Amplified Bible)
No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.
In fact, Christian Musician David Crowder, says that when he heard the song for the first time, he sobbed uncontrollably in the middle of a plane ride. Today, The David Crowder Band performs the song beautifully for others.
With lyrics like, “He is jealous for me, Love’s like a hurricane, I am a tree … And I realize just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me,” the song, “How He Loves,” might just be the best Valentine you receive this year.
You can hear the song yourself by clicking here. And, well, you might just want to keep a box of tissues handy while you listen.
This Valentine’s Day, chocolates, roses and those cute little candy “conversation” hearts may help make your day special.
But whether or not you have a sweetheart in your life, know that the God who created the universe longs to be your biggest Valentine.
Here are some Bible verses that'll help you on your journey:
2 Corinthians 11:2 (New Living Translation)
For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.
Psalm 78:58 (New Living Translation)
They angered God by building shrines to other gods;
they made him jealous with their idols.
John 15:13 (Amplified Bible)
No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.