2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Today, I wanted to share an exhortation that I have heard Jesus saying to me in this season.
I was recently on a retreat and I had questions that I was asking Jesus. In response, I believe that I heard Jesus saying, “Seek Me.”
In that moment, He helped me realize in a fresh way that He is inviting me to know Him better. And as I know Him better, He will lead me and help me.
The landscape is knowing Him better in the midst of whatever we may be walking through. We walk through it with Jesus. Seeking Him.
In reading the closing verses of Matthew 6, I think about types of questions that can regularly occupy my mind and perhaps you can relate:
Jesus, what about this? Or what about that? Or what about the other thing? Or that person? Or the thing that they said? Or the thing that they did? What about the hurt that it caused? What about the hurt that it’s causing? What about this situation? My heart? My mind?
And the questions roll on. In response, Jesus calmly replies and brilliantly teaches us in Matthew 6 that we are not to worry. We are to seek first (continually seek) our Father’s kingdom and righteousness.
In real time, what does seeking Jesus look like in our lives? How do you arrange your life in this way?
Paul’s declaration comes to mind, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11).
I encourage you to read through Matthew 6 and perhaps consider reading through Matthew 5-7 in one sitting. What does the Lord cause to stand out to you?
As you read, ask Jesus to remind you or even show you in a fresh way what it looks like to seek Him in this season. Remember that Jesus invites us to Himself and to come as we are.
I invite you to reflect on the following songs as you pause with Jesus today and thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness in every season of our lives:
The Lord bless you today!
Psalm 27
