Day 5 - Seek First His Kingdom

Reading Passage: Matthew 6:33-34

How Jesus began the conversation about worrying, He ended on the same note - focusing our eyes on Heaven. 

“But SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34, NIV (emphasis added)

What will help us overcome anxiety? Having a heavenly kingdom perspective in a not-so-heavenly world. 

The things we experience on earth can drag us down. Fill us with hopelessness. Bring on anxiety like we’ve never experienced. But we have something better to look forward to. We have something that only Jesus can provide - an eternity and audience with God.

Did you know that the book of Matthew mentions the kingdom of Heaven nearly 30 times? Also called the kingdom of God, this was a central thing that Jesus talked about while here on earth.

The kingdom is something we should totally get excited about. This is referencing the future time of God’s heavenly rule on the earth. Picture this... a huge banquet-style celebration with food and drink galore. Community with God forever. The whole works. 

Jesus wants us focused on the amazing after-party we have to look forward to. 

The one we get to experience by believing Christ is our Savior (Acts 16:31). 

The one we get to experience through the freedom of being forgiven once and for all (Hebrews 10:10). 

The one we experience when we seek Him first (Matthew 6:33).

You see, He didn’t want us worried about the things on earth. Those things will fade away. They will engulf our lives with sorrow and hopelessness. Instead,

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV (emphasis added)

Jesus, thank you for coming down to earth and presenting yourself as a blameless sacrifice so that we can spend eternity with you. Please help us throw off the anxiety we encounter in this world and instead fix our eyes on you, the one who gives us hope in a hopeless world. Amen.

Written by: Heather Erickson