As I watched brightly-colored leaves gently tumble to the ground in the crisp autumn air, I wondered to myself, "What excellency of Christ am I seeing this morning? His goodness? . . . His faithfulness?" These were my first thoughts. Then it hit me, "God is jealous for His glory!"
You may be asking yourself right now, "How do falling leaves display God's jealousy for His glory?"
Our Creator has filled the world with things for us to enjoy (like fall beauty). Yet we must also remember that true joy is centered on Christ's character. There is no authentic contentment or happiness apart from His glory. Mankind's universal delight in autumn's display finds its origin in God alone.
It seems that this seasonal beauty is so short-lived. No sooner does a tree showcase color—which scientists tell us was hidden behind chlorophyll's dominating summer green—than its palette drops to the ground. This time of year, I find myself praying, "O Lord, won't you allow us to enjoy these stunning hues just a bit longer?"
The answer to my inquiry is always a gentle but firm "No." You see, the pleasure we experience from something Christ has made is overshadowed by our Heavenly Father's exaltation of His Son's glory! Our God is a Jealous God (Exodus 34:14). And He is utterly opposed to anything that takes our eyes off the beauty of His Son, even the beauty found in His Creation. It is right and good that we recognize and enjoy natural beauty, but its aim is to lovingly direct us to the One who fashions such beauty, not the messenger of that comeliness. When holy angels were confronted by people who fell down before them in worship, they quickly commanded such adoration to cease. "Worship the LORD your God, and Him only!" is Heaven's universal anthem.
So when we see the beauty of Jesus radiating in the things He has made, we are permitted to enjoy them, just not adore them. Let us be careful to set our hearts intently upon the uncreated majesty of our Triune God revealed in Christ Jesus! Our Lord's command is simple and firm, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2 KJV