Day 1 — Setting the Context: What Does It Mean to Seek First?
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
— Matthew 6:33 NIV
This verse is one of the most quoted lines from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. To “seek first” does not mean chasing blessings, influence, or dominion—it means giving God’s reign top priority above every rival loyalty.
In Greek, the word seek (zēteite) implies an ongoing pursuit: to crave, to desire, to aim toward continually. The “Kingdom of God” (basileia tou theou) refers not to a physical location but to God’s rule—His authority, reign, and way of life active in and through us.
When Jesus spoke these words, He had just finished warning against greed, anxiety, and divided loyalty (Matthew 6:19-34). To seek God’s Kingdom is to trust His provision instead of worrying about possessions; to seek His righteousness is to live with integrity, mercy, and generosity instead of striving for worldly status.
Essentially Matthew 6:33 reads like this: Make God reigning in your life a top priority before any rival loyalties. Prioritize His sovereign rule before: money, material possessions, worrying about where provision will come from and how you will eat and drink... Prioritize practical justice, mercy, integrity, secret generosity and outright generosity alike, prayer and trust in God... and everything that you need to live will be added to you.
Reflection:
What competes for “first” place in your life—security, success, or self?
Prayer:
Father, teach me to make Your rule my highest pursuit. Strip away the distractions of wealth, worry, and pride. Let my priorities reflect Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image … so that they may rule…’ ”
— Genesis 1:26 NIV
Adam and Eve were created as image bearers—stewards under God’s authority, not sovereign rulers themselves. Their dominion was over creation, not over the Creator. When Adam sinned, he didn’t lose God’s throne; he lost harmony with God’s presence and authority.
Romans 5:17 tells us, “Those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace … will reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” Our dominion now is spiritual, not territorial—authority over sin, not nations; over the flesh, not other people.
Reflection:
Where have I tried to rule instead of represent God?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for restoring what sin corrupted. Teach me to walk in humility under Your kingship, exercising authority over sin but never over others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.”
— Psalm 103:19 NIV
Some teach that believers are to “take back dominion over the earth.” Scripture teaches otherwise. Nowhere does God command us to rebuild His Kingdom by human power. The Kingdom belongs to Him and was inaugurated by Christ’s coming (Mark 1:15). We are not the builders—we are the witnesses.
The true mission is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20): “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples…” Jesus has the authority; we operate under it. We advance His Kingdom not by conquest but by discipleship, love, and obedience.
Reflection:
Am I trying to control outcomes instead of submitting to Christ’s rule?
Prayer:
King Jesus, keep me from chasing influence or control. Let my life expand Your Kingdom through humility and obedience, not ambition. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation… because the kingdom of God is within you.”
— Luke 17:20-21 NIV
The Pharisees looked for a visible empire, but Jesus revealed that the Kingdom begins in the heart. When the Holy Spirit dwells within us, God’s rule is present right here, right now. The Kingdom is internal before it is external.
To seek the Kingdom means to surrender daily—to let His Spirit govern your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. The more the King reigns in you, the more His Kingdom shines through you.
Reflection:
Is Christ truly reigning in every area of my life?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, establish Your rule in my heart. Transform me from the inside out so that Your Kingdom becomes visible through my words and actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
— Matthew 5:6 NIV
“Righteousness” (dikaiosynē) is not abstract morality—it’s right relationship with God expressed through justice, mercy, and integrity. In Matthew 6, Jesus connects righteousness with generosity (v. 1-4), prayer (v. 5-15), and trust (v. 25-34). To seek His righteousness is to live a life shaped by His character.
When you live this way, God provides your needs—food, clothing, and peace. He adds what you cannot earn because your heart is aligned with His priorities.
Reflection:
How does my daily life reflect God’s justice, mercy, and trustworthiness?
Prayer:
Father, form righteousness within me. Let my generosity be sincere, my prayer life authentic, and my trust in You unshakable. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
— Matthew 28:18 NIV
Jesus gained authority through humility. The path to the crown went through the cross. To live as Kingdom citizens means carrying our cross daily—denying ourselves, forgiving freely, and serving humbly. The Kingdom grows wherever the King’s character is displayed.
Our victory is not in ruling but in reflecting Christ. Philippians 2:8-9 reminds us that because Jesus humbled Himself, God exalted Him. Likewise, those who humble themselves under God’s hand will be lifted in due time (1 Peter 5:6).
Reflection:
Where is God calling me to lay something down so He can reign fully?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, teach me to follow You on the narrow path of humility. Let my life bear the image of the cross more than the crown. Reign in me fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
— Revelation 11:15 NIV
The Kingdom we live for now is real but not yet complete. One day Christ will return, and every knee will bow, every injustice will be undone, and creation will be renewed (Revelation 21:1-2). Until then, our calling is to represent His Kingdom faithfully—to be ambassadors who reflect His coming reign through holy living, compassion, and truth.
We don’t restore the Kingdom—we await its fullness. Yet as we live under His authority, the world gets a glimpse of what’s coming: justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Reflection:
How can my life today give others a preview of God’s eternal Kingdom?
Prayer:
King Jesus, I long for Your return. Until that day, help me live as Your ambassador—faithful, humble, and full of hope. Let my life point others to Your coming reign. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
To “seek first the Kingdom of God” is to reorder your entire life around His reign and His righteousness.
It means:
As you move forward:
Final Prayer:
Father, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in me. Teach me to live under Your reign with humility, righteousness, and faith. Use my life to reveal the beauty of Your Kingdom until the day it comes in full. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.