“The other day,” I commented to Stan, “we talked about how we are to seek the kingdom and righteousness of God before anything else. You remember that?” [Note to reader: See the posting for November 15, 2022, “What are We Seeking First?”]
“I do remember that,” Stan replied. “Why do you ask?”
“Well,” I said, “last night I was looking at that verse in Matthew’s gospel, and I was wondering about where Jesus said things will be added to us if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
“What were you wondering?” Stan asked.
“What kind of ‘things’ is Jesus talking about? You have any idea what’s included in that?”
“Sure do,” Stan replied. “Seems to me that the ‘things’ that Jesus was talking about includes everything He wants to be in my life, but doesn’t include anything that I want which happens to be apart from what He wants for me.”
“Oh,” I said, “so if I seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, the things that will be added to my life will be in accord with His will, not mine. Is that it?”
“That’s it,” Stan replied. “His will, not mine, unless, of course, my will happens to be in full agreement with his!”
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Bible verses to consider:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33.
And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15.
If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you allow me to come before you in the name of Jesus, knowing that if I ask anything in accordance with your will you will hear me and grant those requests. I confess that too often I come before you with requests that are not according to your will, but they are according to my will apart from yours. I ask that you will open me to see your will so that all of my prayers are in accordance with your will, not mine apart from yours. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him when it’s time so you can come before Him praying in the name of Jesus? If no, why have you chosen to be separated from God for eternity? That’s a long time! If you are a Christian who prays, how are you doing with praying for things in accordance with God’s will? What does that look like to you? If you sense the need for change in how you pray and what you pray about, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 