Exodus 20:5-6 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

God victoriously came down upon Mount Sinai in the form of fire to speak with the Israelites, which shows that God wanted to fellowship with his children. We serve a heavenly Father who wants to have a personal relationship with us to help us navigate this life as He knows us better than we know ourselves.

When we understand God’s love for us, then we will also understand what He means by saying that He is a God who is jealous about his relationship with us. Jealousy arises from a concern to lose the affection of people we love. God in His sovereignty cares for our salvation, and He loves us to the point that He sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to take away our punishments, as well as to set us and our future generations free.

Choosing God’s love over earthly idols is something we need to do daily. Today, there are many things or people that we try to give the place of God; that’s why we pray:

Holy Spirit, please reveal to us the idols in our lives and help us choose God’s love over destructive idols.