Day 12: Seeking God’s Kingdom First

 

📅 Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025 (2nd Sunday of Lent)

📖 Scripture Reading:

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." – Matthew 6:33

📖 Full Context (Matthew 6:25-34):

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (Matthew 6:25-27)

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 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 6:31-34)

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A Kingdom Priority

In a world obsessed with success, wealth, and security, Jesus gives a radical instruction: "Seek first the kingdom of God." He doesn’t say to seek it after securing a career, building wealth, or achieving personal goals. He says to seek it first.

Lent is a season of reflection and realignment. It calls us to ask:

💭 What am I truly seeking in life?
💭 Are my priorities aligned with God’s kingdom, or am I chasing after temporary things?

Understanding Kingdom-First Living

👑 Seeking God’s Rule – To seek God’s kingdom means to desire His reign in every part of our lives—our thoughts, our choices, and our desires. It’s about making God our first love, not an afterthought.

❤️ Pursuing Righteousness – Righteousness isn’t about self-righteousness or being perfect. It’s about conforming to God's character and living in right relationship with Him and others. It means aligning our hearts with His values—truth, justice, mercy, and love.

🙌 Trusting God’s Provision – Jesus reassures us that God already knows our needs. Trusting Him means believing He provides not only in times of abundance but also in seasons of hardship. Even when the future is uncertain, God remains faithful.

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Reflect & Respond:

🔍 Heart Check: What am I seeking most in life? Comfort? Success? Approval? Do I truly put God’s kingdom first?

🕊 Surrender Prayer: Ask God to realign your priorities so that His kingdom and righteousness become your main pursuit.

📖 Scripture Meditation: Read Matthew 6:25-34 and reflect on Jesus’ teaching about worry and trust.

💡 Action Steps:

• Prioritize God Today: Instead of reaching for your phone first thing in the morning, start your day with prayer and Scripture.
• Act in Kindness: Perform a selfless act today—help someone in need, forgive someone, or encourage a friend.
• Silence Distractions: Take 15 minutes away from social media and spend it in worship or reading a Gospel chapter.
• Journal Your Worries: Write down your biggest concerns and pray over them, surrendering them to God.

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Prayer:

"Father, help me to seek Your kingdom above all else. When the world distracts me with its worries and ambitions, remind me that You are my provider and my purpose. Align my heart with Your will and help me to trust in Your perfect plan. May my life reflect Your righteousness and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

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A Call to Action:

What does seeking God’s kingdom look like in your daily life? Share your reflections or an experience where you trusted God over worldly concerns. Let’s encourage one another!