Focus – The Presidential Prayer Team

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. – Matthew 6:33

Telescopes are employed to scan vast distances. Microscopes let you see things that are smaller than otherwise visible. Somewhere in between are binoculars. None of these are worth anything, though, if they are not focused. Fortunately, they all contain adjustments so that the lens and prisms will bring the sought image into sharp contrast.

Jesus said you are to make focusing on the kingdom of God and His righteousness a priority in your life. The Greek word for seek is zeteo, in the present imperative it calls you to make this a continual activity. The world continually tells you to seek pleasure, success, health, prestige, and other personal achievements. Theologian R. C. Sproul says, “Seeking demands an intensity, a perseverance that will not be denied, and a zeal to achieve the desired objective. In addition to refocusing your goal of righteousness, allow the Scripture to speak to your motivation and commitment.” To know the kingdom of God, you must first know the King—Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior, the Monarch of all creation. Being in His kingdom means submitting to His authority, acknowledging the lordship of Jesus, and surrendering your all to Him.

As you seek His kingdom, you also focus on pursuing righteousness. Pastor Ray Pritchard wrote, If you want righteousness, you can have it. … What we seek, we find.” And what you pursue, you receive. Put a priority on your daily Bible study and on prayer. Let knowing and obeying His commands to love Him and your neighbor be your daily focus. Pray for pastors across America to preach the Word of God.

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: Mark 4:26-32

²⁶And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. ²⁷He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. ²⁸The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. ²⁹But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

³⁰And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? ³¹It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, ³²yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”