Scripture

Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Consider

We live in uncertain times, yet how many people in previous generations have uttered those exact same words? To be human means to live as a finite creature in a world of events beyond our control. We cannot fix our troubled world, each other, or even our own hearts. As much as we desire power over our lives, we find ourselves living at the mercy of other people’s decisions, natural disasters, diseases of the mind and body, or compelling temptations, habits, and addictions.

Such is the kingdom of this world. God in his goodness, however, invites us to live in a different kingdom, a better kingdom, in fact, a perfect kingdom that is never uncertain or troubled. Jesus points out that people without God seek after earthly resources to stave off the uncertainty of life because that’s all they can see. Instead, Jesus says, seek God and his ways first, before you decide on a course of action. Seek first the truth of God’s Word, the power of the Spirit to teach and guide you, and the model for right living we see in Jesus. Offer your prayers to God, not to inform him about your needs (as if he needs the details) but to ask for help in trusting that he will provide for you. Practice the gifts of the Spirit over the habits of this world: love over hate, goodness over evil, forgiveness over retaliation, kindness and self-sacrifice over selfish exploitation.

To seek God’s kingdom first is to live in the desire to see God’s righteous rule here on earth as it is in heaven. But we can only live in that desire one day at a time. God in his wisdom has limited our vision and resources to only a small measured space of time—the present day—knowing that we cannot handle more. In each precious moment that God gives us today, therefore, let us seek after his presence with all our heart and soul and mind. Let us learn how to trust God for our needs and to love and live righteously in this troubled and uncertain world.

Pray

O God our King, may your kingdom come to every corner of our troubled world. I ask for grace and faith to live each day under your righteous rule. Make me a part of your mission to bring peace and hope to all who hunger for what only You can supply.

Reflect

Psalm 33; Matthew 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Ponder

How might seeking God’s kingdom first help me deal with anxiety?