The New Year days are a precious time for us to make new decisions for the year. You might call it an annual checkup or tune up. And many of us are used to make plans for desirable changes in areas of our life we are unhappy with by ourselves. We are good at describing the end result of our ambition. And as most of us know, it only takes a few days, weeks or months until we don’t even remember what we were trying to accomplish in the first place. We are forgetful human beings.
The advantage we may have as Christians is that our spiritual concerns, such as things about God or eternity, would always make us awake as they should be serious and bet on life. God’s challenge to us in the Scriptures is not just for this new year only but also for our whole life. Let us examine ourselves this morning whether we put “First Thing First” in our hearts.
The first examination of our hearts should be, “Has the God of the Bible really become the King in our life? “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (33a)
“Kingdom of God” means God’s sovereign rule and enjoyment of its spiritual blessings. God is not simply our Adviser. He is our King and Lord before whom we bow in reverence. We should never challenge His wisdom, nor deviate from His ways. Whether we live in God’s Kingdom or not is decided by whether or not we seek God’s rule in every area of our life. “To seek” means to be seeking always.
Let us examine our hearts whether we are seeking God’s rule in the following specific areas of our lives. Does God’ Word have the final say in our family? Are we honest in all our financial dealings? Aren’t we more motivated by financial gain than financial integrity? Do we always prioritize God and His Church whenever we have any income?
God wants us to value every human being, knowing that he or she is created in His image. Do you ever allow people to get into your life who can do nothing for you? How much time do you spend with God, how much quality time is given to others, your family and on yourself? Does God have the final say on how, when, and where you should use your talents and gifts? (Rom. 12, 1Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4)
The second examination of our hearts should be by the question, “How are you seeking God’s righteousness? The Bible tells us that nobody on this earth is righteous. But “God’s righteousness” is the essence of God’s Kingdom. Then how should we seek and obtain God’s righteousness? Rom. 10:10 “For with the heart one believes and is justified.” 4:24-25 “It will be counted to us (to be righteous) who believe in God who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification (righteousness).” Seeking God’s righteousness means to believe in God and to follow His will of love. The genuine faith naturally expresses itself in love and good deeds. James 2:17 “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Righteousness can also refer to justice. Many first century Christians were mistreated and taken advantage of financially by others. They were seeking God’s righteous (or just) judgment.
The third examination we need should be whether or not we truly trust God’s promise, “God will provide for all your needs” (33b, 25-34) “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matt. 6:33b,34)
Jesus teaches in verses 25-32, taking examples of birds in the air and lilies on the fields, that we human beings should not worry about food, clothing, shelter, or stuff, and that we must not devote our time and energy to accumulate money and wealth. Jesus declares that it is the mark of a pagan. Food alone does not guarantee life. Ultimately, life depends upon God and His Word (4:4). Worry changes nothing. Verse 26 deals with life; verse 28 deals with the body. Verse 27, though, may deal with either adding height to the physical body or with adding length to one’s life. We are the crown of God’s creation. Christ, God’s Son, came to this world to die for our redemption and righteousness! Trust in God. When we prioritize doing life with God and honor Him, then we can claim this promise: all these things (adequate food, clothing, and shelter) will be given to you as well.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” When you start to be anxious about tomorrow,
You cannot concentrate yourself on what you should be doing today. Worry keeps us from giving proper attention to the needs and problems we face today. It can also keep us from expressing faith for God to meet today’s needs. After all, it can keep us from seeking and receiving present guidance from the Holy Spirit and the Word. Overanxious worry about tomorrow can cause us to do unworthy things and thus keep us from seeking God’s righteousness. With God as our Father, Jesus as our Good Shepherd, and the Holy Spirit as our powerful Helper, we can face both today and tomorrow.
Our goal for this year and for the rest of our life should be, first, to accept and trust God of the Bible as my true King and the Lord, second, to follow obediently the way of God’s righteousness given by Christ’s cross and resurrection, and third, to trust that God will meet all my needs throughout this year. Every day as we meditate on the Word of God and commit ourselves for prayers of intercession. we will confirm our goal, each day believing that God has already realized our goal for His glory.
