“I saw a verse in Matthew’s gospel the other day,” Stan commented one morning, “that I think pretty much sums up the whole of Christianity and what a faith walk is supposed to look like, at least for me.”
“All that in one verse?” I said. “It must be a really long verse!”
“Nope,” Stan replied. “Actually quite short. It points to a lot of different moving parts in my faith walk, but it’s a great summary reminder of what’s supposed to be important and what’s not.”
“What’d you see?” I asked.
“It’s in the sixth chapter of Matthew,” Stan replied, “Jesus had been addressing the question of people being anxious about all sorts of worldly things, what they’re going to wear, what they’re going to eat, and stuff like that, but it seems to me that what Jesus ended up saying has an infinitely broader application than that.”
“Infinitely broader application? How so?”
“Jesus said that I am to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then what I need will follow. Way too often in my life I seek first what I think I need without even thinking about God and I don’t get around to seeking Him, His kingdom, and His righteousness, even though that’s supposed to be what I seek first.”
“If that’s true for you,” I commented, “maybe it’s true for other people as well. In fact, maybe that’s why God’s kingdom and His righteousness don’t seem to have as big a role as God wants for a lot of people. Maybe they’re seeking something else first.”
“You could be right, my friend,” Stan replied.
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Bible verses to consider:
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33.
. . . seek and you shall find; . . . . Matthew 7:7.
Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8.
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your provision of life eternally with you through the finished work of Jesus’ cross. Thank you for the truth that seeking you, your kingdom, and your righteousness is to be first in my life. I confess that too often it is not. Please forgive the foolishness of seeking anything before you and what you have for me. Please help me in following every step of your lead so I do, in fact, first seek you, your kingdom, and your righteousness in every aspect of my life. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you sought God first in the sense that you know you will spend eternity in His presence when it’s time? If no, why? What else are you seeking before Him? Why? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness for your life while you remain on this side of eternity? If you sense the need for change in what you are seeking first in your life, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 