• God Is A Jealous God

  Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 12, 2009 (message contributor)

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  Scripture:  Exodus 20:5

  Tags:  Idolatry, Generation

GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD

A few years ago, I was working in Qatar installing a newsroom set for Al-Jazeera TV. I’d been there for nearly a month and was ready to go home. I can’t describe for you how badly I missed my family.

We were nearly finished with the set, and the last thing to be done was to snake a long strip of plexiglass into the large central news desk. We encountered some problems, but my friend Dean, one of the best and most innovative carpenters I’ve ever known, came up with a new plan. Before trying it, I prayed silently to God: "Please Lord, please help this to work. I am so ready to get out of here and go home. Please help us."

We embarked on Dean’s plan and successfully snaked the plexiglass through. I said aloud, "Dean, you are the man!"

Suddenly, they found a problem. The plexiglass wasn’t in right and would have to be taken out. There was a strong possibility that it might be damaged. It was the only piece we had on hand, so if anything went wrong finishing the project would be delayed.

Then it hit me, "You gave glory to Dean and not to God." I asked for forgiveness and then proceeded to tell all the carpenters that I was praying and God could help us finish. We tried it again and got it right. I publicly gave glory to God, packed my tools, and went home.

(From a sermon by Joel Smith, "Caution! God’s Favor...Handle with Care" 2/23/2009)