What Do You Seek First?
ICS Daily Devotions
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Having the freedom to choose does not mean we are exempt from the consequences of our choices made apart from God. Even though we know Jesus is the Lord of our lives, we tend to gravitate toward our personal preferences when making decisions. As a result, many Christians see God as someone to turn to only when they get into trouble because of their choices, and they become disappointed and disillusioned when God does not answer or rescue them from their wrong choices.
Jesus has set the example for us on what it means to seek the will of God, or the Kingdom of God, first.
John 4:34 (NKJV) Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
Jesus’ utmost concern in His ministry was fulfilling the Heavenly Father’s will, in contrast to others’ preoccupation with “filling their stomachs”. Similarly, our stomachs will be filled when we do the will of God, meaning there will be no lack in our lives. Jesus is our perfect example of submitting to God’s will and resisting the flesh’s desires that oppose God’s plan. Jesus understood His mission on earth and God’s will for His life. Everything He did was aligned with God’s plan for Him.
Matthew 26:38-39 (NIV) Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus, 100% man and 100% God, was overwhelmed with sorrow over what He had to endure. The pain was so intense that He shed blood. Nevertheless, Jesus remained submissive to God by praying to the Father about God’s will. He was following God’s plan though it came at a great cost. Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane with two conflicting wills but left with only one—the will of the Father.
As Christians, we need to die to ourselves and take up the cross to follow Jesus when we want to do the will of God. This means denying ourselves what we want to pursue and choosing to follow God’s leading in our lives. This is consecration, the posture we take when seeking first the Kingdom of God—a life of submission.
We should seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and align our will with His, rather than seeking provision and security based on our own strength.
Reflection: Do you prioritise God’s Kingdom and His righteousness by putting His interests first in your life? How patient are you while waiting for God’s timing in your life decisions?
Sermon Series：Therapeutic Bird Watching
