JUNE 2024
SEEKING HIS KINGDOM FIRST
I sense the days are such that we have to be intentional or focused on what we have been called to do by the Lord. Challenges and distractions abound, and are designed to take us down. Principalities and powers, continually churn up evil strategies. However, the good news is that we have access to the King of kings, and Lord of lords. We have access to the One who loved us so much, that He gave His Only Son, that whosoever would believe in Him, would not die, but have everlasting life (John 3 v 16).
To walk in the fullness of what is available for us in God’s Kingdom, we need to understand our position in the Kingdom. We are told to Seek first the Kingdom of God. What really does this mean. We need to break this down so we understand what it entails.
Let’s take the time to understand two important words “SEEK FIRST”.
These words mean seeking in order to find. It means giving priority to something. It also means, to look for, or to go after or to search for. This “seeking“ has a purpose, so it has to be passionate, desperate, focused and goal-oriented.
This implies that the King of the Kingdom, Jesus, desires we draw near to Him, and desires that you and I find Him, so that we may learn to love Him, obey Him, worship Him and also make Him known to others.
Jesus told us when He walked the earth, in (Matthew 6 v33), SEEK first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
This means prioritising love for Jesus over our survival and desire for personal success, and over our ambitions and plans. We are so used to doing life with our personal goals and perspectives taking up the whole focus of our lives. Jesus was always about His Father’s business, but we have not learnt to prioritise this.
Jesus, the King of the Kingdom has first to be sought. As we enter into relationship with Him, He adds all of the reward of co-labouring in the Kingdom with Him to us. This is the way His Kingdom expands and He impacts the world. When we prioritise our survival, then it’s difficult for the King of kings to be impactful on the earth through us. There’s absolutely no problem now on earth, that Jesus our King has no solution for, so He desires we trust Him.
Also in Matthew 6 v 33-34, Jesus said “Wherefore, seek not the things of this world, but seek first to build up the Kingdom of God and to establish His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for tomorrow, for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
This tells us that there is so much to seek for in the world, so it’s important to take a day at a time. If we overwhelm ourselves, that will distract from the ultimate goal we have been asked to seek. If Getting our priorities right determines greatly our success in having His Righteousness invade the world. The woman who met Jesus by the well in John 4 v 5-26, left her water jug, to go tell the whole village about the Saviour that she had met, and they all then came to meet Jesus. The disciples left their fishing business to prioritise co-labouring with the King of kings. We are not necessarily advocating leaving your business. We are saying prioritise the King’s business over yours. The harvest is waiting. If you can’t go, then contribute generously to those going, so their impact is greater.
What are the priorities in our lives that we have to re-order to enable us to effectively SEEK FIRST the King of the Kingdom, so that He then adds all other things to us. I love how we are told that if we get our priorities right, then those things we normally struggle for, will be thrown into our hands as a by product of our obedience to get to know the King of the Kingdom first.
When you want to build a relationship, the time you spend together is of utmost importance. There is no alternative for this. Communication is vital and will position our hearts to engage in love, one with God and one with another.
Knowing the King, ourselves, and making Him known, should be our highest priority. Becoming friends with the Holy Spirit happens as we spend time in His Presence. In His Presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16 v 11).
May the Lord bless us all.
Mina Bajomo
