Seek First – Kingdom Focused Devotionals

Challenging question during our present economic climate!  During the 2008 presidential race Rick Warren asked the candidates to define “wealthy.”  You may recall that neither did a very good job.  I have found very few people who admit to being wealthy.  They always compare themselves with someone who has much more.  But if we are asking this question in a global context, anyone with the money to own the computer on which to read this would have to say, “Yes.” 

            Solomon has much to say about money.  In Ecclesiastes 5:19, God has empowered us to eat from the riches and wealth he has provided.  We must first acknowledge that whatever amount of wealth we have, the Lord is the one who has given us the life and strength to earn it. 

            When Moses was preparing Israel to enter the Promised Land, he reminded Israel that it was God who gave them the power to make wealth so that He could confirm His covenant with them (Deut. 8:18).  This reminder was actually a warning.  Moses was concerned that when they enjoyed the plenty of the Promised Land they would build their own houses and forget God’s commands (8:11-14).  Second, they might brag that their own strength had made them wealthy (8:17). 

            So why does God desire to give us earthly resources?  Solomon mentions it first, and that is to provide for our needs and pleasures.  But Moses in Deut. 8 reminds us that He desires to confirm His covenant.  His covenant, spelled out in Genesis 12 indicates that blessing is given to be conveyed and not consumed.  As you think about your wealth, do you use it to advance God’s kingdom. 

Prayer:  Thank you for your gift of life and health.  Teach me that all your gifts are designed to enable me to participate in Kingdom activity.  Amen.

Do you ever find yourself at a loss for words when a friend or family member needs encouragement?  In Isaiah 50:4 we read—“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.”

            The context is the third great Servant songs of Isaiah, which are ultimately fulfilled in Christ.  On four occasions the Servant begins a declaration with the phrase, “The Lord God” (4, 5, 7, and 9).  This phrase could be translated as “My Master, God.”  In other words, the Servant declares His absolute submission to God.  It is in this submission that He finds His help. 

            What did the Lord give Him that provided such help?  He gave him the “tongue of disciples.”  That phrase is a curious one, but it simply means the tongue of one who has been instructed in speaking the word of God.  The Servant learned through His own rejection how to comfort others. 

            Do you want to know how you can develop an “instructed tongue?”  First, He gave regular attention to the instruction of the Lord (4).  Second, He was obedient to all that God taught (5).  Finally, this obedience confirmed His trust in the Lord.  “Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on God” (10). 

Prayer:  Help me to give attention to Your Word and to obey it fully.  Amen.

We have been looking at several promises in Ecclesiastes.  In chapter 9:7-9 Solomon looks at the ordinary events of life such as eating, drinking, and enjoying “the woman you love all the days of your fleeting life.”  Solomon, who had accumulated great wealth, advises that we enjoy the little things of life.  He declares “God has already approved your works.” 

            If you take time to read the verses leading up to this promise you will find that he underlines two absolutes concerning life.  First, we cannot predict whether we will face adversity or prosperity.  It is likely we will know both (1-3).  Second, life is short and death is certain for everyone (4-6). 

            In light of these two certainties, Solomon advises us to enjoy feasting, our spouse, and our work.  A few years ago a rather poignant song entitled, “The Cat’s in the Cradle” became quite popular.  It spoke of a busy father who ignored his son until, with time, the tables were turned and the son ignored the elderly father.  We must make each moment count. 

            We can enjoy our work when we understand that God has already approved it.  This reminds me of Ephesians 2:10 where Paul indicates that we have been created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared before hand. 

Prayer:  Father, help me today to enjoy the ordinary events of life as a gift from you.  Amen.

            Does your life sometimes seem to be mundane?  Do you wonder what will be the outcome of all your hard labor?  You are in good company.   Solomon pondered such questions and wrote about the meaning of life.  At times, he was forced to admit that life had a certain futility about it. 

            But ultimately Solomon was no pessimist.  Moved by the Holy Spirit, he contemplated this life in the context of eternity.  He recognized that there must be more to life than the few short years of earthly existence. 

            Solomon began chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes with the affirmation that life has structure and meaning.  “There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven” (1).  He then declared that he had observed the tasks which God has given to man.  Have you ever thought about your work at home or your professing as a God given task?  It is and that changes everything about how and why we work. 

            Solomon underlined three truths that will help us find satisfaction in our work.  1. God has made everything appropriate or a source of delight (3:11).  God is a happy God who wants His children to enjoy life.  2. God has put eternity in our hearts.  Man longs for his life to have significance.  3. God has assigned to each of us tasks and we must do them as unto Him. 

Prayer:  Forgive me when I fall into the trap of thinking life is futile.  Let me do my assigned tasks today as unto You.  Amen.

An emphasis on physical strength is common among athletes.  Recent breakthroughs in strength training have taken sports to a new level.  Athletic events such as golf, swimming, or driving a race car now have their unique strength training techniques. 

            Today’s promise reminds us that the Lord has commanded our spiritual strength. “Your God has commanded your strength; show Yourself strong, O God, who have acted on our behalf” (Ps. 68.28).  This Psalm may have been composed to celebrate when David returned the Ark of the Covenant to Mount Zion (2 Sam. 6:12-16). 

            The psalmist describes God’s power in majestic terms.  He pictures Him as the God who rides on the clouds (4).  The earth trembles and the skies pour rain before Him (8).  You may, however, be surprised to discover that His power is also related to His care for the fatherless and widows (5).  He is the God who provides homes for the homeless and leads prisoners to prosperity (6). 

            I find it encouraging and challenging to know that the majestic King command my strength.  Paul reminds us of this truth—“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). 

            Don’t feel strong?  Your feelings can lie.  Base your actions on His promises.  He has commanded your strength. 

Prayer:  Dear God, help me today to rely upon Your strength and not my own.  Amen.

Surveys indicate that prayer is a topic of great interest to most Christians but that most Christians are rather casual in their practice of prayer.  I wonder why?  Do we believe prayer matters?  Does God listen and respond to our prayers?  The psalmist provides a positive word for all who desire a more intimate prayer life.  “Certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer” (66:19).

            This psalm begins with a call for all to worship and praise the Lord through joyful shouting, singing and speaking.  Why?  In celebration of all the many blessing God had provided to His people.  The psalmist calls for everyone who fears God to listen to all God has done for us.  He then indicates that the necessary prerequisite of answered prayer is a clean heart. 

            What lessons can we learn that will help us gain the confidence that God hears and heeds our prayers?  1. Always begin with praise.  2. Remember past events where you have seen the hand of God and thank Him.  3. Confess your sins and cleans your heart.  4. Pray continually with confidence.

Prayer: You are the One True God—holy and mighty.  Thank you delivering me from sin.  Cleanse me that I may advance Your kingdom.  Amen

We have a habit of getting into trouble by running ahead of God.  We make our own plans, discover they are not working, and then turn to God for help. 

            The context of Psalm 60 is David’s plea for help against his enemies.  You can read about David’s plight in 2 Samuel 8.  While David is waging war in the north against the Arameans, Edom invaded from the south.  It is possible that David’s military success had prompted him to invade the Arameans, leaving his young kingdom at risk.  Joab met the attack and achieved victory.  David thus declares that “God has spoken in His holiness” (60:6). 

            The Psalm begins with an admission that God has been displeased and has broken them down.  David sees his military losses as a sign of God’s displeasure.  Whatever the cause of their defeat, God has given them a banner or rallying point.  The banner to be unfurled is the banner of prayer.  God’s people are called to depend upon His truth and pray that they will be delivered by His right hand. 

            When David declares that God has spoken “in His holiness,” he means that God has spoken based on His character.  Isn’t it wonderful to know that God’s promises are based on His character?  When you run ahead of God and suffer defeat, rally under God’s banner of prayer and trust in His character. 

Prayer: Forgive me when I foolishly make my plans without your counsel.  I trust your character and thus will obey your Word.  Amen.

Watching the evening news can be depressing.  Hardly a day goes by that we are not confronted by scenes of killing and pillaging around the globe.  It makes us understand the cry of David declaring; “God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands” (Ps. 53:2). 

            This Psalm assures us that God is not distant or unconcerned about the people He created.  Rather, He carefully investigates the human race to see if anyone is prudent.  Understanding often seems to be greatly lacking.  Sometimes people argue, “The presence of evil proves that no righteous God exists.”  David addresses that question in verse 1—“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.” 

            The matter of denying God is not simply a verbal declaration.  It is the conduct of one’s life.  When a person declares that they believe in God and yet lives as if He does not look down from heaven nor care about His own creation, they are living like the fool who denies God exists. 

            You might wonder why God looks down from heaven.  David indicates that He longs for the day when His kingdom is established and His people will be glad.  The Apostle Paul quotes this Psalm in Romans 3:10-12 to demonstrate the guilt of all mankind before a holy God.  Yet, Paul concludes that God provided redemption through His Son.  Aren’t you glad God looked down with mercy?

Prayer:  Thank you for looking down upon our sin and sending Your Son.  Help me to live in understanding.  Amen.

Courtroom drama is fun to watch.  The bailiff announces the entrance of the presiding judge with great solemnity.  The judge, wearing his black gown, ascends to the bench to begin the trial.  In Psalm 50 the psalmist allows us to glimpse into the heavenly courtroom where God judges His own people. 

            Verse 1 contains the declaration—“The Mighty One, God, the Lord, has spoken.”  Three names—El, Elohim, and YHWH—are heaped one upon the other to indicate that this Judge alone is qualified to execute perfect judgment.  As He descends from Zion, He is described as the perfection of beauty.  Since the place of God’s presence is a glorious one, it is appropriate to say that “God has shone forth” in glory.  God’s glory is such that it can only be compared to the rising sun. 

            Yet His beauty does not negate that He is coming in judgment.  Fire devours before Him (3).  The Judge calls upon heaven and earth as a witness against His people (4).  Israel had become careless and ritualistic in their worship.  The judge is calling them to genuine worship befitting their righteous King.  “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High” (14). 

            Both the Old and New Testaments speak of the judgment of believers for the quality of their life and service to the King.  Are you offering acceptable sacrifices? 

Prayer:  You are indeed the only True God.  Teach me how to offer my life as an acceptable sacrifice.  Amen

Have you ever attended or watched a presidential inauguration?  Pretty impressive, to say the least!  Psalm 47 speaks of a royal coronation of the King of all the earth.

            The psalmist pictures God ascending His throne amid shouts of acclamation, sounds of trumpets, and songs of praise.  The call to praise is based on the truth that God is the King of all the earth and reigns over all nations (7-8). 

            You may recall that Paul speaks of a royal coronation day, when “at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11).  In the final book of the Bible, John gives us a visual picture of the coronation, with all the kings of the earth bowing before the only true King (Rev. 21:22). 

            The coronation prophesied by the psalmist and pictured in Revelation is an absolute certainty.  When you see the chaos and confusion of our world, focus on the certainty of this promise.  But this promise should not only console us, it should move us to kingdom activity.  What are you doing to join the King in His kingdom activity?

Prayer:  Thank you that I can trust in your promises.  Grant me the opportunity to join you in advancing your kingdom.  Amen