The other Sunday Evening I shared with the church the text of Matthew 6:33.
This verse follows Jesus’ address on worry or anxiety in that we would
not worry about what we will wear, eat or drink. And to bookend verse
33, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will
worry about itself. And He goes on to say that each day has enough
trouble of its own. In Matthew 6:25-36, Jesus is telling you and me
(His disciples) that God knows our exact needs, so instead of worrying
about the things we think we need and the things over which we have no
control; leave that to God. Jesus calls for us to put our attention and
affection squarely on God and He will take care of the rest.
Jesus
knew that if His disciples would focus on “these things” as He called
them then in vv32-33 that our attention would be directed and devoted to
worry rather than worship, the worship of a God who knows and meets the
needs of His children according to His perfect will and His sovereign
work. Paul states it well in his letter to the church at Philippi.
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (HCSB)
Now
Paul was not combating worry or fear in this statement and he was not
saying that all we want will be ours because the Bible says so. What
Paul is saying to this church is that because you have helped me, not
for my sake, but for God’s glory in the form of “a fragrant offering,
an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God…, Because of that, “my God
will supply….” You see the focus of this church was God, His glory, His
kingdom and His righteousness.
Now
back to Matthew 6, what Jesus is saying is that God has made a covenant
with His children. So, if we will seek first His Kingdom and His
righteousness; God, through a covenantal pact or promise, will provide
His children with what they (we) truly need most. But again, this
requires for His children to “Seek first His kingdom and His
righteousness”. * As a side note: in an elementary sense, where is the
heart of God’s kingdom? Heaven. And what is the central point of God’s
kingdom? His throne. And who is in heaven on this throne? God seated
high, holy and righteous.
“We
must mind heaven as our end, and holiness as our way. ‘Seek the
comforts of the kingdom of grace and glory as your felicity. Aim at the
kingdom of heaven; press towards it; give diligence to make it sure;
resolve not to take up short of it; seek for this glory, honour, and
immortality; prefer heaven and heavenly blessings far before earth and
earthly delights.’ We make nothing of our religion, if we do not make
heaven of it.”
-Matthew Henry
Not
to move the text of Matthew 6:33 too far out if it’s contextual circle,
but this verse speaks to a greater subject than worry or food, drink,
and clothing. It speaks of believers having a focus upon and commitment
to God and God alone. So it is in this, that if we will commit
ourselves in faithful devotion to God through Christ, we are able to
have and are promised God’s peace that gives us the strength to not live
by bread alone, but on every world that comes from God-where we find a
true word, a faithful word, a hopeful word; a peace that passes all
understanding and dresses our spiritual flesh in the imputed
righteousness of Christ.
But for you and me to experience this in it’s fullness, we must: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”.
What
are the things that are occupying your mind, your time, and your
efforts in your day to day life? Today, I encourage you to begin your
day and live your life by putting God first in everything: every
thought, every word, every action.
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