The Kingdom of God
Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mar. 1:14-15
What is the kingdom of God? Where is it to be found?
Jesus said it was the Father's pleasure to give us the kingdom but what was he talking about? Through the ages, men have believed many different things about the kingdom of God. Study these articles to find out what it is and how to become a part of it forever.
Thought for Today
Jan. 02
SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, PART TWO
"Seek
ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall
be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33
Jesus wants his people to be anxious about nothing. People of the world, he said, fret about such things as money, food, and clothes (Mt. 6:31-32), but those who seek God's righteousness are free to trust their heavenly Father to take care of all their daily needs. God knows that we cannot seek His righteousness with our whole hearts while worrying about meeting our daily needs.
"Therefore. . . take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, nor yet for your body, what you shall wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the fowls of the air, for they sow not; neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you much better than they?" (Mt. 6:25-26).
We cannot take care of ourselves even if we do try. Jesus reminded us of that unalterable truth when he asked his disciples, "Who among you can make yourself taller by worrying about it? Then why do you worry about clothes? If God dresses the flowers of the field in such beauty, will He not also dress you?"
Those who love God are much more valuable to Him than birds and flowers. God loves His children more than He loves all the animals and plants on earth. You are special. You are made in God's image. You are born of His Spirit. It matters to Him how you feel. Trying to persuade those who believed in him of this special love of God, Jesus revealed to them that God had even numbered the hairs on their heads (Mt. 10:30). "You are more valuable than many sparrows", he added (Mt. 10:31).
You have clothing because God is good, not merely because you have a good job. You did not provide clothing for yourself by your own power and wisdom. It is God who gives you your clothing, your food for this day, your shelter, your health, and everything else that you have. Jesus promised that God will always take care of your necessities if you will only keep His kingdom and His righteousness foremost in your desires.
You don't have to worry about your future if you are seeking God today. Food. Drink. Clothes. It is our heavenly Father's responsibility to provide all those things for us, and He always will do so if we seek His kingdom and His righteousness first.