Jealousy Is A Thief

Psalms 59:1-4 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; defend me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloodthirsty men. For look, they lie in wait for my life; the mighty gather against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord. They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold!

David was literally running for his life. King Saul had sent men to watch David's house, in order to kill him. What brought on such unreasonable hatred toward someone who was nothing but loyal to the king? It was simply jealousy. Jealousy because David was exalted more than the king in the people's songs of the victories won by David, in comparison to Saul. Jealousy, because Saul knew in his heart that David would someday be king. Man's jealousy is nothing like God's jealousy. God is a jealous God because He desires the best for us. He knows that when we worship anyone or anything besides Him, it leads to a loss of blessings, and nothing but sorrow and loss of heavenly rewards. Man's jealousy is selfish and destructive. It leads to senseless arguments, and breaking of friendships. In the body of Christ it causes division and makes us look no different than the world. It is one of the deeds of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-20. It is what we are told love is not, in 1 Corinthians 13. It was the jealousy of the Pharisees that led them to want to kill Jesus. When we become jealous of what God allows others to have, or of how He allows others to prosper, we become discouraged, bitter, and ungrateful. When we focus on the blessings of others, we become blind to the blessings in our own lives. When we are too busy envying and coveting the talents and abilities of others, we miss out on opportunities to let God use the talents and abilities He has given us, to be a blessing in our service to Him and others. Jealousy is a thief, and will rob us of intimacy with God and our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we find ourselves being jealous of those God chooses to bless, we need to stop immediately, repent, confess it, and ask God to help us pray for, and rejoice with, those He is blessing. If jealousy motivates someone to try and harm us, we must turn to the Lord, who is our greatest Shelter. We must pray for those who oppose us because of jealousy, and trust that the Lord will deliver us from their evil intentions; and ultimately allow Him to take vengeance on those who try to harm us in any way.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).