As we read and study the 49 scriptures that are Jesus’s commandments, let’s ask God to help us observe these words, apply them, and faithfully follow them throughout our lifetimes. The command we will focus on today is “Seek God’s Kingdom.”
Verse of the Day
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33 KJV
Lesson of the Day
Jesus commands us to seek God’s kingdom. This is a command that is attached to a promise. The Easy-to-Read Version puts it this way: “What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what He wants you to do. Then He will give you all these other things you need.”
This may sound like God is holding our needs hostage until we behave, but that’s not the case. God knows our needs, and He automatically supplies them. Verse 32 tells us that He knows what we need. Philippians 4:19 gives us the promise: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (KJV). In Matthew 6:26, Jesus reminds us that our heavenly Father feeds the birds and asks, “Are ye not much better than they?” (KJV). God is concerned about what we’re chasing. He wants to be first in our lives. Just as Jesus was all about God’s business when He walked the earth, we are to be all about God’s business. When we make God’s kingdom and His will our first priority, our obsessions change. We begin to want what God wants, and we start doing what God needs us to do. Our obsession becomes God’s business. Then the promise kicks in. We can now trust God to handle all of our needs and some wants. Don’t get me wrong: God decides what we need and which wants He wants to give us. They get added; you don’t have to chase them.
This command comes right after the command to lay up your treasures. They’re connected. Where your treasure is, that’s what you seek first. If we seek His kingdom first, He adds everything else. If we seek everything else first, we lose the kingdom and still don’t get the rest.
Seeking God’s kingdom is more than just wishing, believing, and praying. It requires doing what God wants us to do. We must be obedient. We must actually move. Seeking His kingdom isn’t just a feeling; it’s a step. Then all of these things get added, like strength, wisdom, and everything else needed to bring God’s plan to fruition.
Encouragement
God continues to open my eyes as we move through these commands. I just finished writing about laying up treasures, and God showed me that my heart got wrapped up in my business. I was seeking orders, not His kingdom. I was praying for more business when I should have been praying about the assignment He gave me: teaching kids about Him and guiding children into entrepreneurship.
Now I’m starting over. Step one is asking God what schedule He gives me the strength for, not what I can force. I’m taking it to my war room. I don’t have it figured out yet, and that’s okay, because this verse promises that when I seek His kingdom first, He adds the rest. Strength included.
I want to encourage everyone to go to your secret closet and seek God for yourself. Ask Him to show you what He needs you to do. We all have an assignment. Find out your assignment. Continue praying and searching the scriptures. The more time you spend with God, the closer you’ll get to your calling. Once you know your calling, start moving. Don’t allow the vision to get cold. God will open every door that is in His will.
As for me, I’m going to take it one step at a time. I’m going for the vision. I encourage you to do the same.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the vision. We are one step closer to seeking Your kingdom first. We pray that You open all of Your followers’ eyes to the vision that You have for their lives. Give us wisdom and strength to follow through. Open all the necessary doors to put us in the right position to successfully fulfill Your purpose for our lives. Open our spiritual eyes so that we can be aware of the enemy’s schemes to stop us. May we put on our full armor daily. Show us glimpses of Your glory, Lord. Give us the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for being a positive force in our lives. Forgive us when we fall short. Give us the confidence to walk in our calling without fear. You haven’t given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and of a sound mind. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray, amen.