Matthew 6:33 ‘But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’
The use of the word SEEK has bearing here. The word ‘seek’ is a verb or a doing word. It implies active pursuit and opposed to general interest. Being interested in a general way in the Kingdom of God is one thing, but to actively seek it is something else. The word ‘seek’ means to search for, desire, require and demand it. It means that it needs to become our active passion and pursuit. It is much like an investigator who would not rest until he/she gets to the bottom of the matter. They will not rest until a matter is resolved, finalized and finished.
The implication is to seek, and to seek until you find what you looking for. The idea is not to seek and then give-up and try again, but rather to seek with the intention to find. There needs to come a determination in our hearts and lives. It is not just a matter of floating along, but a matter of a determined heart. It is not a matter of default but a matter of a quality choice. We are to seek the things of God as a priority over the things of the world. This should change the way we live our lives. The use of the word FIRST also has bearing here. The word first means that pursuing the kingdom of God should have first place and priority in our lives This must be our first and primary priority. In fact it should be only priority and every other issue should be firmly in second place. Before anything else gets our attention this aspect should get our focus. It is as if when this falls into place that everything else can find its place. Often in life, everything else that is demanding our attention gets our focus and then the Kingdom of God is left to second, or worse ninth or tenth place. It should be first on the order of priority, first in the order of time, first in the order of focus and attention. Have you ever had a bad tooth ache? That severe pain that compels you to seek help and attention. In fact nothing else matters until that matter is resolved. It is as if every other concern is of no consequence until the pain is addressed. You don’t even care about anything else. Perhaps this is a bit of a negative illustration, but it shows how one thing can have the upper hand over other things that would usually have your focus.
In the same way we should seek God’s Kingdom first, above all else and putting aside everything else until that matter has received it proper attention and then to focus on other issues at hand. I have handled many funerals in my years of ministry. One thing I have often seen is how many people became Christians at a young age and then followed God throughout their lives. I have often said that we must never underestimate the decisions of youth because they have great bearing on how life will play out. So I encourage young people to settle the matter of following God and putting Him first early in life.
He should be one of our first choices in the earliest stages of life and He should be given that place of priority throughout life.
Don’t wait until you are trying to pick up the pieces and then try to settle this important aspect.
Quote from Spurgeon: ‘That which concerns your highest part should come first and your soul is more precious than your body! Your body will soon become food for worms, but your soul will outlast the stars.’
The use of the word YOU also has bearing here. Sometimes we think that we can leave this important aspect to others. Perhaps you think the spiritual people can do that. Perhaps you think that the Pastor and Ministers can attend to this. Perhaps we think we can leave this vital dimension to our parents or our grand-parents. The truth is that when it comes to this all-important matter, there is no time to point it in someone else’s direction. Let us take up the responsibility and make it our own priority. Use your gifts and your talents and abilities to go after His Kingdom in every way at your disposal.
If you have a PRAYER REQUEST, please send us an e-mail at Prayer@AliveToGod.com For more information about Alive to God, or to subscribe to our free DAILY BIBLE VERSE, please visit www.AliveToGod.com
