A Prayer About Godly Jealousy
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2-3
Dear Lord Jesus, nothing good has ever come out of the insecure, distrustful, possessiveness of my jealousy. But nothing but good arises from godly jealousy–your intensely committed love, “to have and to hold” your Bride for yourself, and to enjoy her forever.
Dear Lord Jesus, nothing good has ever come out of the insecure, distrustful, possessiveness of my jealousy. But nothing but good arises from godly jealousy–your intensely committed love, “to have and to hold” your Bride for yourself, and to enjoy her forever.
What could be a greater compliment to any of us than to know that you are jealous for us, jealous for ME-jealous and zealous for the affection of our hearts… the pleasure of our company… the intimacy of our communion? I believe this, Lord Jesus. I want to believe it more. Heal and free me from my unbelief.
That you really want us, desire us, enjoy us is almost too much to take in. That you are actually say today in the gospel, in this very moment, “Come away my beloved… my desire is for you, my banner over you is love…”, seems impossible, and tragically at times, not enough.
I can certainly understand why Paul was so concerned about the heart-drift of the Corinthian believers. For surely, Satan is always seeking to lead us away from the simplicity and purity of devotion to you, Jesus, our great lover and Lord. When he distracts, deceives and draws me away from the wonders of your love, EVERYTHING else is affected.
I begin to look to people, “stuff” and circumstances, more than I look to you, for life, satisfaction, joy and a genuine sense of completion. Oh, foolish man that I am. Oh, how I long for the Day of no more illusions or delusions; no more deceived thinking or divided heart, no more ungodly jealousy or ungodly anything. Hasten that Day, Jesus, hasten that Day.
But in this day, give me enough gospel manna, enough sanity, and enough gospel freedom to live and to love as yours… delightfully yours… belovedly yours. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ name.