For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Deuteronomy 4:24
Our God is a consuming fire. He is satisfiedonly when His love totally consumes us. We usually think of a jealousperson as someone resentful and suspicious, but the Lord’s jealousy onour behalf is something that should be precious to us! He has thecomplete right to our lives. He gave us life, and He wants to protectus from anything that could harm us. That is why He has commanded Hischildren to worship no other gods, allowing nothing to distract usfrom His consuming love. The Lord opposes anything that hinders ourrelationship with Him (Deut. 6:15).
He knows the danger of other gods,how they will lure us away, deceive us, and leave us empty. He willtolerate nothing that takes precedence over our love for Him. Ourfaithfulness to God assures us of the abundant life He wants to giveus. If we reject Him, He will pursue us until we return to Him. Weshould not resent the fact that God wants to guard our relationshipwith Him. It should bring us comfort. Our relationship with God shouldbe our top priority. It should dictate how we spend our time, ourmoney, and our energy. If certain people or our possessions separateus from God, we must reexamine our hearts and give our devotion firstto Him, as He commands. God wants each of us to love Him with all ofour heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mark 12:30). Our love for Godshould extend to every corner of our lives. God loved us so much thatHe gave us His own Son. Let us respond by giving Him our highestdevotion in return.
