JEALOUS ONE ~ Precious Victor Akah

Right from childhood, we know some common Names of God, like: Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Nissi, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life, the Bread of Life, I Am that I Am, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Yahweh, Mighty Warrior, Mighty Man in battle, the Almighty, King of kings, Lord of lords etc. But there is this Name of God that although not very common yet important, because it affects our relationship with Him. A lot of people actually do not know He bears this Name; while some who knows don't take it serious, otherwise they'll treat their relationship with God cautiously.

What Name is this that we're talking about? Well, I was reading a Christian devotional some time last week when I came across a peculiar Bible verse. It felt as though I hadn't read it before because of the fresh understanding I got. Let me share the verse with you: Exodus 34:14, "You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you."

This scripture reveals one of God's Names to us: JEALOUS. It also explained what God is jealous about. It says He is jealous about His relationship with us. You know, some people think that if you love someone you should not be jealous about your relationship with them, but this scripture reveals otherwise. God is Love personified. He is Love. So if He is jealous about His relationship with us, it then means that one of the characteristics of love is jealous. (So if someone claims to love you but they're not jealous of their relationship with you, it could mean that they do not love you indeed).

Please note the definition of jealous here. (Of God), it means demanding faithfulness and exclusive worship. It also means fiercely protective or vigilant of one's rights or possessions. Infact, GWT (GOD'S WORD Translation) of Exodus 34:14 says, "Never worship any other god, because the LORD is a God who does not tolerate rivals. In fact, he is known for not tolerating rivals."

God does not tolerate rivals, just as we don't tolerate rivals in our love relationship. A rival is a person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field of activity.

God does not want you putting anything or anyone above Him. He doesn't want anything (job, business, career, ministry, family, human relationship etc) or anyone (spouse, lover, children, pastor, friends, parents, siblings etc) to compete with His relationship with us - where we'll no longer have time for Him or enough time to spend with Him. Human relationship should not be superior to our relationship with God.

God also wants your complete loyalty. He doesn't want you worshipping Him and worshipping another thing (an idol, a man-made god, a witch doctor...). He doesn't want you serving Him and belonging to a demonic fraternity (occult). He doesn't want you professing loyalty to Him yet you're also loyal to astronomy (horoscopes), palm reading, charms and all sorts of mystical practices.

Incase you've abandoned your relationship with God due to the cares, worries and challenges of life, please reignite it today. Reignite your prayer life. Reignite your Bible study life. Reignite your worship and praise life. God wants your complete loyalty and devotion to Him. He deserves it because He owns you, and because whatever it is you have today that is trying to come between you and God, God gave it all to you. Return to Him!

After returning, guard, cherish, value and preserve your relationship with God, so that it suffers no neglect again.

Shalom.

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