“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith…” Hebrews 12:1
In Matthew’s gospel, he gives us the Lord’s words concerning priorities, and that which is to be the very first things with regard to obtaining objectives. He speaks in the context of being tempted to be preoccupied with other things, such as “treasures on earth,” or preoccupation with what one is to eat, or drink, or for the clothes that one would wear. He does not minimize the necessity of eating and drinking, nor being adequately clothed in a manner that honors the Lord, but He does make a very clear distinction between these lesser considerations and that which is to be focused on, and committed to. The Lord goes on to make a distinction between not only these things, and that which should be primary, but also, speaking of “all these things the Gentiles seek.” (Matt. 6:32) The great comparison that He then makes is this, that the first thing, in the face of all that the nations would seek after, and be dominated by, is the pursuit and seeking of the kingdom of God. What does He mean by this? The blessing of man, both spiritual and material, eternal and present, is determined by the reign of Christ in the heart, not only Christ’s government established, and submitted to, but the appropriation of all that the “kingdom” would mean. This kingdom is first and foremost one where the authority of the life of the individual has yielded to the sovereign authority in heaven. To neglect to do this, to refuse to do so, is to deny that Christ is God, Lord, and King, and that He IS Life, Love, and Light. Unbelief, by its attitude towards God, is the refusal to partake of the Divine blessing of God, especially that of eternal life in Christ. On the other hand, in submission and faith, first because of the new birth, and one’s daily surrender and faith, the believer possesses the opportunity and capacity to live “in the kingdom,” under Christ’s authority, in the spirit and blessing of the kingdom, communicated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Lord would have His child, and disciple, to be preoccupied, dominated by, and focused upon, Him as King, and His kingdom, where there is Life, Liberty, Love, and Light. In other words, the Lord, by His command to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, calls the believer to live on another plane than that of natural, unbelieving men. He calls him to live by the very life of Christ, by the power of the Spirit, for the glory of God, and to know God’s highest blessing for his glory.
There is a promise associated with seeking first Christ’s kingdom, not only on a daily basis for our lives, but in the seeking of lost souls for His sake. It is that of His provision. In Matthew, He speaks of the answers to the natural needs of mankind, food and drink, and clothing. His promise is that, “…all these things shall be added unto you.” (6:33) The Apostle Paul, when he wrote to the Philippian believers, would restate this truth by writing: “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (4:1) Even David would say the same thing, when he wrote the twenty-third psalm: “…The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” God would have His people, His church, preoccupied with that which is eternal and for His glory. He will provide all else.
In the letter to the Hebrews, we see other distractions which can cause deviations. The first is “weights,” or cares, and burdens. A sheep is not made to carry burdens, but to commit all to the shepherd. Then there are those “little foxes,” besetting sins that disrupt true fellowship with God.
Dear Father. Strengthen us to run. In Jesus’ name, Amen.