Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. – Matthew 6:33
It’s a theme common in all ages – anxiety. Worry about “what you will eat or what you will drink” (Matthew 6:25), how to accumulate enough wealth to live out your later years with some comfort are concerns that need to be addressed. But God would have you think of things eternal FIRST.
As Matthew Henry has said, worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom whereby Satan has a sure and fast hold of the soul. Henry warns against the sin of “disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of life” for they are a bad sign that the treasure and heart are on earth. “Seek first the kingdom of God!” (Matthew 6:33) It is an imperative – a command – for your own good. One commentary says, “You were made for God, to love Him, to serve Him, to praise Him, to live in fellowship with Him, to do and to bear His holy will”… to seek His righteousness.
Striving to conform to Christlikeness… is that your goal? The tensions of the world today – riots, disregard for authority, political rankling and accusations – have a dire effect on one’s attitude and focus. Therefore, seek God FIRST. He does not promise to take all the bad away, nor does He tell you all will be well, but He does promise – and His promises are true – He does promise His wisdom, power and goodness in great supply.
Prayer is the answer for all times. Pray for God’s guidance… for yourself, your family, your neighbors, and this nation’s leaders that they would treasure the heavenly, not the things of the earth which will pass away. Dear One, pray for the soul of America.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Hebrews 12:12, 18-28
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
