El Kanna, You are a jealous God, a burning flame, a consuming fire. You are mighty to save and unstoppable in Your plans. We bow to You in humble and reverent fear.
But You are not a covetous God like we who are a covetous people who are jealous when others are crowned and lauded, jealous when others are blessed and gain profit, jealous when others receive what we desire. No, You are a God who is jealous of the things that are already Yours. You are jealous of Your Name, Your glory, and the faithfulness of Your chosen people. You are jealous like a husband for his wife's faithfulness, something that has been vowed to him, something that belongs to him. That is Your jealousy. Not petty wants and selfish concerns.
El Kanna, we confess before You that we are not a faithful people. We do not hold tight to the covenant that our ancestors made with You when this country was founded. We cling to things of this world, to traditions of men ("Trick or Treat?"), to foolish philosophies ("It's just fun to have my fortune read. It doesn't mean anything."), and to our own comforts ("How dare you infringe of my right to be a __________."
You have said, "Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God" (Deuteronomy 4:23-24).
The Israelites saw You as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Your church sees You as a Holy Spirit, burning through chaff, refining us like silver and gold. We yield to You, Holy God, this day. This is not Satan's day. Everyday is Your day. You are the God of the day and the night. You are the God of life and death. You are the God of mercy and justice. We yield to You. We bow to You. We offer our praise to You and to You alone, the Only God. We choose not to worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
And still I come to You for mercy, for myself, for my church, for my nation. I come to You because I have no other hope than to find mercy in You. I come to You, El Kanna, because You are holy and unchanging. You are honorable and faithful. You are zealous for Your own righteousness. Consuming Fire, purify us once again. Rain down Your Spirit upon this land. Claim us as Your own for Your own righteousness' sake and for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rain down on us the mercy and grace that we need to shake out of our slumber and gluttonous snoozing. We cannot do it without Your mercy. We cannot change without Your touch. I plead Your mighty attribute of jealousy, Merciful Father, to redeem Your people who are called by Your Name to mighty and holy living in You once again.
Thank You for being jealous of what rightly belongs to You. Thank You for Your mercy and Your pursuing love. Thank You for Your touch of grace. Thank You for the shed blood of Jesus Christ and that You, God of all, live in victory. Thank You that we too can live in You with the full assurance of Your protection and provision. You are that good. You are that able. You are everything we need. Amen and amen.
