The Daily Devotional
Sunday, April 14, 2024
First Seek His Kingdom
Sunday, April 14, 2024
First Seek His Kingdom
But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
Introduction
In the hustle of daily life, it's easy to prioritize our immediate needs and desires. However, Matthew 6:33 reminds us, "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This devotional reflects on this verse through the story of Lando, a jeepney driver in Manila, who faced a decision that tested his faith and priorities.
Reflection
Lando's day began like any other, with the familiar streets of Manila bustling around him. His life, much like the jeepney he drove, was always moving, focused on earning enough for his family. Then, he saw Ronnie, a street sweeper sitting troubled on a bench. Lando felt a tug in his heart, a divine nudge to stop and offer support.
In this moment, Lando faced a choice: to pursue his financial needs or to answer a higher calling. This mirrors the dilemma we often encounter in life. Do we focus solely on our material needs, or do we heed the call to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness? Matthew 6:33 challenges us to trust in God's provision, to believe that our needs will be met when we put His kingdom first.
Jesus, fully aware of the challenges we face in avoiding worry (Matthew 6:25-27), comforts us with the assurance that our heavenly Father is intimately aware of our needs (v. 32). This passage urges us to set aside our anxieties and place our trust in God, dedicating ourselves to fulfilling His desires for us (vv. 31-33). As we commit to His plans and follow His guidance, we can be confident that our Father, who effortlessly adorns the fields with grass that flourishes one day and is gone the next, will also provide for us in alignment with His divine will—just as He tenderly cares for all His creation (v. 30).
Application
For Lando, choosing to approach Ronnie was an act of faith. It meant sacrificing potential earnings for a moment of compassion. In our lives, such moments arise unexpectedly. We can apply this lesson by remaining open to divine interruptions, understanding that God's plan often unfolds in acts of kindness and selflessness. Today, consider how you might put aside your own agenda to help someone in need, trusting that your own needs will be met in due course.
Conclusion
Lando's experience, culminating in Ronnie's embrace of faith and the unexpected provision of passengers, powerfully illustrates that our journey of faith involves pivotal choices. By choosing to serve others and prioritize God's kingdom, as Lando did, we align with His divine will. This alignment often leads to our needs being met in unforeseen ways, reinforcing the idea that in God's economy, the truest gains are found not in what we accumulate, but in what we are willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others. Lando's reflection that God cared for his needs when he chose obedience and service encapsulates this truth, reminding us of the profound impact of following God's lead with a willing heart.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, guide us to seek Your kingdom above all else. Help us to trust in Your provision and to be attuned to the needs of those around us. Give us the courage to act in faith, knowing that in serving others, we serve You. May our lives reflect Your love and compassion, and may we find joy in the assurance of Your care. Amen.
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Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Click on the image to delve into the uplifting and soul-stirring devotional…
In the hustle of daily life, it's easy to prioritize our immediate needs and desires. However, Matthew 6:33 reminds us, "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This devotional reflects on this verse through the story of Lando, a jeepney driver in Manila, who faced a decision that tested his faith and priorities.
Reflection
Lando's day began like any other, with the familiar streets of Manila bustling around him. His life, much like the jeepney he drove, was always moving, focused on earning enough for his family. Then, he saw Ronnie, a street sweeper sitting troubled on a bench. Lando felt a tug in his heart, a divine nudge to stop and offer support.
In this moment, Lando faced a choice: to pursue his financial needs or to answer a higher calling. This mirrors the dilemma we often encounter in life. Do we focus solely on our material needs, or do we heed the call to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness? Matthew 6:33 challenges us to trust in God's provision, to believe that our needs will be met when we put His kingdom first.
Jesus, fully aware of the challenges we face in avoiding worry (Matthew 6:25-27), comforts us with the assurance that our heavenly Father is intimately aware of our needs (v. 32). This passage urges us to set aside our anxieties and place our trust in God, dedicating ourselves to fulfilling His desires for us (vv. 31-33). As we commit to His plans and follow His guidance, we can be confident that our Father, who effortlessly adorns the fields with grass that flourishes one day and is gone the next, will also provide for us in alignment with His divine will—just as He tenderly cares for all His creation (v. 30).
Application
For Lando, choosing to approach Ronnie was an act of faith. It meant sacrificing potential earnings for a moment of compassion. In our lives, such moments arise unexpectedly. We can apply this lesson by remaining open to divine interruptions, understanding that God's plan often unfolds in acts of kindness and selflessness. Today, consider how you might put aside your own agenda to help someone in need, trusting that your own needs will be met in due course.
Conclusion
Lando's experience, culminating in Ronnie's embrace of faith and the unexpected provision of passengers, powerfully illustrates that our journey of faith involves pivotal choices. By choosing to serve others and prioritize God's kingdom, as Lando did, we align with His divine will. This alignment often leads to our needs being met in unforeseen ways, reinforcing the idea that in God's economy, the truest gains are found not in what we accumulate, but in what we are willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others. Lando's reflection that God cared for his needs when he chose obedience and service encapsulates this truth, reminding us of the profound impact of following God's lead with a willing heart.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, guide us to seek Your kingdom above all else. Help us to trust in Your provision and to be attuned to the needs of those around us. Give us the courage to act in faith, knowing that in serving others, we serve You. May our lives reflect Your love and compassion, and may we find joy in the assurance of Your care. Amen.
-------------------------
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Click on the image to delve into the uplifting and soul-stirring devotional…
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