Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/matthew-6-33

Not one word in Scripture is superfluous and when the word BUT starts a sentence, it is a conjunction of contrast – it is a word that introduces an opposite outcome and is a clue that the upcoming statement is about to qualify something important. Having taught His disciples to pray to the Father in faith, Christ gives a long dissertation on the futility of fretting, the fruitlessness of worry, and the anxiety that is caused when our primary attention is on how we can provide for our own, temporal needs and necessities rather than relying on the Lord.

Through a series of beautiful examples, Jesus points out that both the birds of the air and the flowers of the field neither fret for their food nor worry about their clothing, but are graciously cared for by the Lord… a poignant reminder that God’s blood-bought children are infinitely more precious to Him than pretty flowers or feathered foul.

Don’t be worried about the things connected to your life is Christ’s clear command. Don’t fret about what you are going to eat or what you will drink, and don’t be concerned for your body, as to what you will wear, were the comforting words of Jesus to His people. If the birds of the air and the flowers of the field are fed and clothed so beautifully, don’t you think that your Heavenly Father is able to supply all your needs? – were Christ’s reassuring words.

But then followed an important lesson, that instead of futile fretting and needless worry, our principal thoughts and primary pursuit should be on the eternal kingdom of God and the righteousness that flows from Him, rather than seeking to provide for ourselves through the bankrupt dominions of this passing world system.

God in His grace invites us to live a life that is free from worry and devoid of anxieties by seeking first the kingdom of God and the righteousness with which we are clothed, when we trust in Him for salvation. We are to first be concerned about God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and when we have the right priorities, all of these other things will be provided for us as well.

God knows that worry entraps the heart and fear fractures faith, which can cause a believer to spiral down into a pit of despair. BUT He also knows that we have daily needs, and has given many precious promises throughout Scripture that He will be the Provider for all the needs and the Supplier of all the necessities of life – if we will but trust in Him.

Instead of seeking first the things of this world through our own effort, we are urged to seek Him first, to develop a right perspective, to exchange natural thinking for godly thinking.

So as we trust Him to fulfil His promise to provide for our needs, remembering that He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, let us take the words of Jesus to heart to seek HIM first, and make HIM our main focus, today and every day.

My Prayer

Loving Father, I know that too often a lack of faith in Your promises of provision, have caused me to seek after the things of this world by myself. I confess this is a lack of faith in You. From now on, may I seek Your kingdom and righteousness first, knowing that You are my great Provider. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.