There are many passages in Scripture where the Lord speaks of being jealous for first place in the hearts of His people. He will not accept a secondary position in their affections.

In at least ten places in Scripture we read of God being jealous for first place in the hearts of His people.

In Exodus 34:13-14 NIV we read, “Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

To worship means to serve, to adore, to accept as the most important person or thing in life.

We make idols of preachers, loved ones, even our money. So worshipping gets beyond deities into the realm of what makes us secure and happy in life. People who are wealthy can have a god of gold or money because they feel secure in life knowing they can buy all they wish from their great economic resources.

So when the Lord speaks of being jealous for the affections of His people, He means He must have first place in their hearts.

Christians must not trust anyone or anything more than the Lord Himself. If they do, the Lord will punish them until they return to their first love and place the Lord ahead of everyone and everything in life.

Perhaps today you find yourself making the Lord jealous because you have replaced Him with a family member, your financial assets, or some other person or thing.

If you are a believer, the Lord will soon enough catch up with you and take that idol away. He will not tolerate being in second place in your life.

Hear the Word of the Lord, come to Him and renew your vows to Him.

“…for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you…” Deuteronomy 6:15 NIV

But when we repent, the promise is as follows.

“’In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,’ says the Lord your Redeemer.” Isaiah 54:8 NIV