LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 6:33, But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

 

Matthew 6:33 seems logical to explore its meaning for our lives after Matthew 5:6. Not only do Christians need to hunger and thirst for righteousness but we must seek God’s kingdom before everything else.

 

“Seek” is a “verb that implies being continually absorbed in a search for something or making a strenuous and diligent effort to obtain something” (LSSB). I want to do everything I can to have God’s authority and power flowing through me as a demonstration of His life in me. It is through time in His Word, time spent with Him in prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit that sinners are shown Jesus, people are healed of disease, demonic bondage is broken and the narrow way to the kingdom of God is shown.

 

It is important to read the verses before this statement. Jesus was telling His followers to not worry over food, clothing, and the necessities of life; His promise is to provide for all His children in our day of trouble and uncertainty. We are not to worry if we seek to let him reign in our lives. Instead of being anxious about these things, we must trust that He will provide for His faithful followers as little children trust in their earthly parents to provide for their needs. Jesus said instead to pursue (seek) God’s kingdom, trust in God’s righteousness, and leave it to God to take care of the basic needs we have.

 

How do we do this? We must place God first in our thoughts and seek to walk on the narrow way by being obedient to His Word, remain separate from what the world would want us to follow, show Christ’s love to all people, and to live in continual repentance from sin. If we do that God will provide everything we “need” to accomplish His will.

 

I want to give added emphasis about seeking the kingdom of God before everything else. Jeremiah 29:13 which says, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.” That means we must seek Him willingly and intentionally. In the days we are facing, it is wise to choose to seek Him with our whole heart; He will not force anyone to do this. What a privilege it is to be able to seek Him, knowing that it is His desire we do so, and knowing He gives to us in abundance, in accordance with His wisdom, when we do.  It seems logical to me that seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness is the way we avoid worrying about things that are often beyond our control.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.