Seek First

“Therefore, do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or

‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after

all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father

knows that you need all these things. But seek first the

kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these

things shall be added to you.”

     Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV)

Most of us do not worry about whether we will have enough to eat or drink, or fear we won’t have anything to wear. However, I was recently confronted with these verses in connection with an invitation to prayer and fasting I received from a missions board that I’m involved with.  I had not done this kind of fasting before, although I’ve had opportunities to do so, because I worried that I could not make it through the day without eating!  I knew my fear was ridiculous and yet it kept me from Biblical fasting in the past.  Then I came across these verses and they really spoke to my heart.  They convinced me I could do this with God’s help by focusing on Him and His righteousness rather than on the food I’d be missing.

It actually turned out to be a wonderful experience.  I didn’t fast for the whole day, but my goal was for half and I was able to do that without a problem.  It helped that we’d been given Scripture and prayer points for each hour, so I focused on seeking God first (rather than on my stomach) and His strength enabled me to do it.  What I had feared became instead truly a blessing for me. Isn’t that often the case?  What we fear either ends up not actually happening or it’s not as bad as we expected. Unfortunately, that fact doesn’t usually stop us from worrying.

Yet the Bible tells us we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Phil. 4:13)  By setting our focus on Him, we tap into that strength. What worry or fear can you defeat by looking to Christ and seeking first His righteousness?