Tag: protects

God is Jealous for Me and You

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I think one of the more difficult names of God to think about is Qanna, Jealous. God is a jealous God but not in the human terms of jealousy which is almost always thought of in a negative sense. In humans it is not a character trait or action that is considered good. However, let’s rethink this in terms of God. God’s jealousy is one of protective love. The Lord seals every believer to Himself through the Holy Spirit. Unlike human beings, God does not experience feelings of insecurity, fear or anxiety about His relationship with people. He is righteously angry when His children choose to devote their time and attention to lesser things. When God’s children turn their backs on Him, in His mercy an grace He pursues them.

We see the name Jealous referred to multiple times when God is talking to them about worshipping idols. First in the 10 Commandments He lays down his standard for our behavior concerning worship. Exodus 20:5 “ 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 fourth generation of those who hate me,” God did not want the Israelites worshiping idols of wood or stone as He abhorred this practice. It offended Him as He desires them to worship Him alone.

When they were headed to the promised land, God warned them of His jealousy and the consequences. Exodus 34:13-14 “You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),” He also warned them of His jealous nature if they abandoned Him for idol worship. Deuteronomy 4:23-24 “ Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

Joshua warned the people as they entered the promised land as they were to fight people who worshipped idols. Those who would forsake the worship of the one true God would not be able to be forgiven and that they would be consumed. Joshua 24:19-20 “But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” 

During the New Testament times, Paul mentions God’s jealousy too. The Corinthians were arguing about whether or not they could eat food that had been offered to idols. Paul tells them that their is nothing wrong with the meat but do they really want to eat food that has been a part of a pagan ritual and offered to a demon. He is saying you can’t have it both ways- like your cake and eat it too. Consider the source and intention of the food and then decide. As a Christian he said there is nothing wrong with eating the food but consider how others might view it. 1 Corinthians 10: 21-24 “ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” As they were to consider their actions, Paul reminds them that God is a jealous God and wants all of their devotion and worship to be towards Him not on any idols.

How does this effect you and me? I am encouraged and uplifted that God is jealous for my devotion and love. He loves me so much and sent Jesus because of His love to save me. John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Why would I want to place someone or something on such a pedestal of worship to arouse His jealousy? Imagine God’s seeing people reading, golfing, working, being entertained instead of spending time in worship, be it alone or in a fellowship group. Wouldn’t that arouse God’s jealousy as we idol away our time neglecting Him?

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am committed to a God who loves me and is jealous for my love towards Him. Seek to lean into Him this week and some spend time in prayer and study. He will bless you for your devotion.

Linda

The Church, All believers, will be the Bride of Christ

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In the Old Testament, God is referred to as our husband. This is more fully defined when one considers the idea in Revelation where the Church, all believers, are called the Bride of Christ. God in His grace and wisdom is actually both. He is the one who cares for widows and says He will be their husband. Isaiah’s words spoken to the Israelites were an encouragement to them. He wanted them to know in spite of their past sins, God was there steadfast and true. He would stand with them.

Isaiah 54:6 “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
    be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
    and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.” Isaiah begins in verse 6 with truths about no fear and no shame, all will be forgotten which was so reassuring and then he launches into a glorious piece of scripture that shows God as husband, redeemer, Lord of Hosts, and God of the whole earth.

Isaiah 54:5-8 “For your Maker is your husband, God is creator, husband
    the Lord of hosts is his name; Lord of Hosts
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, Holy one of Israel, Redeemer
    the God of the whole earth he is called. God of the whole earth.
6 For the Lord has called you
    like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off, God saw your pain
    says your God.
7 For a brief moment I deserted you, You were deserted, to Babylon for a brief time
    but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In overflowing anger for a moment
    I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” God loves you.
    says the Lord, your Redeemer.

The relationship between husband and wife is a picture of God and His people. The husband is to care for his wife as Christ loves the believers. In Revelation, Christ is named as the Lamb and the Church, all believers, are to be His Bride! There will be a huge feast in heaven to celebrate.

Revelation 19:7-8 “Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” The Bride of Christ is clothed in fine line, bright and pure which represents the righteous deeds done by believers in the name of Christ.

What about these images brings you peace and hope? I take comfort in knowing that God is my husband and stands in with all widows and those who are alone. I know the relationship of husband and wife is a caring one where God will watch over me as no one else ever can. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can participate in the marriage of the Lamb in heaven and until then He will be with me standing beside me and upholding me. The wedding feast will be a joyous event as all the Church will be with Him in heaven.

Linda

Lord of Hosts=Lord of Heaven’s Armies

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The LORD of HOSTS, Jehovah Sabaoth, is the commander of the Heavenly Army! Who else but God himself would be leading them? Psalm 46:7 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” The New Living Translation uses the phrase Lord of Heaven’s Armies often however, in the ESV translation it reads, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” It seems that the two phrases are interchangeable. Hosts refers to the angel army of God=heavenly army. Isaiah 47:4 makes this name very clear, “Our Redeemer—the Lord of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel.” When Isaiah had a vision of the throne room of God he saw the seraphim proclaiming God’s glory, Isaiah 6:3 “And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

What does this army do under God’s command? Psalm 91:1 is a verse to cherish and claim, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” God is always watching out for us and directs His angels to do so for Him. In 2 Samuel 5:10 scripture describes the Lord of Heaven’s armies as giving David strength, “And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.” In the Psalm it describes the Lord of Heaven’s armies as being with them, as we know He is, Psalm 46:7 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Psalm 84:8, He listens to our prayers, “O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob.” Psalm 84:12 He brings joy when we trust Him, “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is the avenger of all nations who have wronged Israel. Scripture speaks of His wrath towards Babylon, Assyria, Egypt and even against His own people for abandoning Him and worshipping idols. The Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah in Romans 9:28-30 showing us “For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth  quickly and with finality.”29 And Isaiah said the same thing in another place: “If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of our children, we would have been wiped out like Sodom,  destroyed like Gomorrah.” God was merciful towards those who loved Him and showed them grace they did not deserve.

This name of God is powerful and filled with action as we envision God as the Commander and Chief of His Army. It is just another facet of our all -powerful sovereign God. Blessedly He reminds us in Pslam 80:19 that He is there for us. “
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! The Lord of Hosts is patient with us and desires that we be saved!

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know, serve and be saved and protected by the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. What a privilege it is to have the Lord of the Heavenly Army supporting and defending me. Someday we will be with Him in glory and can praise Him with the words Isaiah heard, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts!

Linda

God is For Us! ALWAYS, Trust Him

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 Today’s promise was given to the people of Israel through Moses after 40 years of wandering and countless adventures with God. They were poised to enter the Promised Land and God wanted them to know they could count on Him in so many ways.

Deuteronomy 1:29-31 “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’

Promises: God will go before me, fight for me and carry me protectively as a good Father does.

I particularly cherish this promise as it shows the heart God has for me, and how He cares about my wellbeing. He does not want me to live in fear of the problems or difficulties I will face in life but to take strength and courage from His promised presence. He will not wait for trouble to be present but will go before me preparing the way. When troubles and trials do come, and they will, He promises to fight for me. He has my back and wants me to succeed. Lastly, I love and take comfort in the image of God carrying me as one cherished and loved by Him. He knows what I need and will carry me without my even asking as He is my loving heavenly Father. He will always uplift, unburden and comfort those He loves.

What we can now from these verses: God’s presence dispels fear, God goes before me, God will fight for me, God loves me as His child and desires to protect me, God will see me safely to my appointed destinations in life.

Lenten Reflections: Am I pre-praying for events and thanking Him for His protection? Am I trying to fight my own battles or am I asking God to assist?

I have known God’s care as He has given me courage in times of great fear, hope when faced with adversity and comfort when broken hearted or in need of care. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can depend upon God’s loving care and protection. He will never leave me nor forsake me!

Linda

Related verses: 1 John 4:18, Isaiah 49:16, 25, John 1:12, Psalm 41:2, 2 Timothy 4:18, Nahum 1:7, Psalm 91:1-2.