Jealous Pursuit

Jealous Pursuit

The LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.

Joel 2:18

IN WORD When parents warn their children of impending danger, it’s never out of spite. We generally don’t voice our concerns for the sake of criticizing. We have a much greater purpose: We want to avert potential harm. We don’t want our kids to get hurt.

God’s warnings of judgment usually come from similar motives. They never come without opportunity for repentance and promises of restoration, at least not when first sounded. They are designed to get His people to snap out of their delusions, to come to grips with His ways, to turn from their self-destructive behavior. When God sees His children swimming against powerful tides, He warns them of their futility. He takes pity on those He loves.

God’s ultimate goal for Joel’s audience, for the entire human race, and for each of us individually, is to pour out His blessings. Judgment is not, and never has been, His overriding purpose. It is only a tool of correction for humble hearts and a punishment for pridefully, stubbornly unrepentant hearts. The God of judgment has a greater concern than judgment: He wants His kingdom to bear fruit and flourish, blessing all who will come into it. God loves to demonstrate love.

IN DEED A lot of people don’t know that. God’s righteous judgment is often seen as the core of His character. Even Christians, who should be well informed about the love of God, sometimes live with a deep sense of guilt and an unsettling feeling that God is not on their side. But the jealousy of God is a solid scriptural teaching. And He isn’t jealous because He’s petty; He’s jealous because His love is deep and intense.

God doesn’t forgive halfway. He pursues His people and never gives up on them. When He chooses to bless, He doesn’t relent. Not even His discipline gets in the way for long. He will satisfy His love by satisfying His beloved. Expect blessing. God certainly does.

The goal of God’s discipline is restoration—never condemnation.

—ANONYMOUS