-January 19, 2023-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
(Matthew 6:33).
Matthew, the writer of this gospel, presents Christ as the King; and he focuses so heavily on the kingdom of God. The wisemen come to see and worship the King of the Jews; the Beatitudes speak of the charter of the kingdom; and the Parables in Matthew 13 mention the word kingdom twelve times.
As believers in Christ we are members of the kingdom and must seek to live for our King and serve Him. When Pilate asked Jesus if He was a King, Jesus did not deny it. But He told him in John 18:36, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” And when Pilate asked, “Are you a king then?” Our Savior replied, “You say rightly that I am a King. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into this world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).
It is thus imperative that we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in the way we live, speak, and conduct ourselves at home, at church, at work, at school, or in retirement. We represent our King as ambassadors for Christ. One day Christ will reign over this earth for a thousand years and we will reign with Him. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Now we have chosen to receive Him as our King. We must make the kingdom of God and His righteousness our priority all our days. Satan is the god of this world and has everyone who doesn’t know Christ is under his control and the power of darkness. We stand out as we stand up for Jesus and His kingdom.
Jesus taught us that we need not and should not worry about what we eat, drink, or clothe ourselves. When we Him first, He will provide. Paul wrote in Romans 14:17-18, “For the kingdom of God is not in eating and drinking, but in righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves God in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.”
Let us then seek His kingdom and His righteousness as our highest priority. Everything else is subservient to this calling. Have a blessed day living for our King and Kingdom, serving Him. Stay safe and healthy.
Joyfully serving the King in everything,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 