CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 873

“Seek First: Relationship”

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Have you ever lost or misplaced something very important or valuable? I once misplaced an important document whose response deadline was imminent. Have you experienced that knot in the pit of your stomach as I did as you frantically searched for the item? I think we have all had that feeling as we, for the moment, forgot about all other agendas and made searching for the lost item an absolute first priority.

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus speaks to us about the priorities of life. He exhorts us to seek first what has eternal value rather than to seek the temporal things of this world. ‘Seek’ means to search. It is an action word. We are not to sit idly by and merely desire the kingdom of God. We are to actively search for it with intensity and fervor. ‘First’ means above all other things, foremost, a priority. When combined, the words, ‘seek first’, in the original Greek have an action imperative tense and mood. ‘Seek first’ is not a suggestion – It is a command that Jesus gives us.

There are three aspects of seeking first that we will explore in three parts: Relationship, Kingdom and Righteousness. ‘Seek first’ means that we will place the highest value on our personal relationship with Jesus. Our relationship with God will be above all other agendas and distractions in this life. When we place the highest priority on our relationship with Christ we will not establish a lifestyle pattern that values work, the pursuit of wealth, or recreational activities over spending time in His Word and in worship. When we seek first we choose to balance our lifestyle such that we are not too tired or our schedules too full so as to prevent spending quiet time in prayer and in the Word every day.

Far too many of us seek to add days to our life on earth whereas it is far better to have added life to our days by having prioritized our personal relationship with Jesus during our time on earth. It is the fullness of the Deity of Christ dwelling in us that dispels fear and worry and gives us power for living. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him… (Colossians 2:9-10)

What do you seek first in your life? Is it money, power, position, recreation? When under stress do you rely on Him first or seek comfort through an addiction – food, alcohol, nicotine, or other drugs? Do you have your priorities out of order and seek the blessings of God first without giving a second thought to your personal relationship with Him? Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8) How does one draw near to God and build a personal relationship with Him? Begin by resolving today to make a radical change in your priorities. Conduct your own personal revolution to dethrone the false ‘gods’ that you have served first. Get to know and trust in God through prayer, praise, worship and the daily reading of His Word. Be aware of His presence with you and in you wherever you are, whether at work, home or play.

May you actively seek Him first and enjoy the freedom, peace and joy that come from the Lord’s presence in your heart. May your personal relationship with Jesus add the impact of His life to your days and be a blessing to others.