January 13, Seek Him and Don’t Worry
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33
Jesus taught that when we truly seek after God’s kingdom, we can more fully experience the blessings of God’s abundant provisions. This promise does not express a plan for affluence, nor do these words give instruction for having life “your way.” This promise simply states how God works. And, we are blessed when we align our lives with this promise.
This promise actually addressed a negative issue in the lives of Jesus’ followers then and now: this world relentlessly disposes us to worry. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus directed his followers toward a worry-free life with very clear reasons not to worry or become anxious.
First, Jesus posed a practical question: who can add one cubit to his life by worry? (Matthew 6:27). There are fixed laws in life, such as how God made you. The phrase, “add one cubit to life” expresses that the way God made you or the way God has your days numbered is fixed, and no volitional activity on your part will alter what is fixed. This proves we normally worry over things we can absolutely do nothing about.
Second, Jesus proved that there was no advantage to worrying about the essentials – what one will wear or what one will eat or drink (Matthew 6:25-26, 28-32). This references God’s law of providence. God truly cares for His own: His own people, His own creation, and His own church. You may look at the world, your own life, or even the church and see things that are worrisome. But, do not worry. God’s law of providence proves that He has it, and that He is sovereign. God’s provision does not depend on you making sense of your present situation. Trust God. Job said of God, “no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). The Bible proclaims of Jesus in I Timothy 6:15, “the blessed and only sovereign, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” He reigns over all things. He can be trusted indeed.
Third, Jesus distinguished between the worry of the world and the certainty of the Kingdom of God. Those who do not live by faith – those who have not been affected by the glorious love and salvation God perfectly displayed in Jesus, make the most basic needs their chief anxiety. The reason a child of God would not chase after such anxieties is because he or she knows that God our Father is very aware of our present state and current needs. The world chases after anxieties. Those in the Kingdom of God trust their loving Heavenly Father who rules and reigns the heart of His children with loving and perfect providential care.
So because of these reasons not to worry, we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Seeking first the rule and reign of God in our lives stands as the ultimate cure for worries and anxieties. We seek His kingdom by seeking to live under His rule (His precious truths) and under His reign (His majesty and glory). This indicates that we truly seek His kingdom as we live by His principles and worship Him in spirit and in truth. And, to seek His righteousness is to surrender to the saving work of Jesus - His death and resurrection. The sovereignty of God and the Lordship of Christ beckons us with divine power not to worry.
How can you live in this world but not of it? Raise the standard of God’s Kingdom over this fallen world. Seek His Kingdom and His righteousness above all things.
Blessings.
