Encouragement for Today - August 26, 2025
Seek First: Resting in God’s Faithful Provision
SHALA WILSON
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“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33 (CSB)
Years ago, the Lord called me to rebuild everything in my life from scratch. As bills added up, I found myself discouraged at the slowness of God’s provision. I thought I was moving into a promised land like in Exodus 3:8, “a land flowing with milk and honey” (CSB). But it felt more like a wilderness.
With every step, I asked the Lord, You’ve got me, right? Where’s that milk and honey? I wanted to start making the way myself instead of trusting Him.
Then three times in one week, the Lord reminded me that I needed to rely on Him like never before. I needed to know I couldn't do it on my own. OK, I thought, You’ve got my attention!
I reflected on a passage that has guided me for nearly 25 years:
“So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matthew 6:31-33, CSB).
Here in Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, He invites us to join His mission to usher in the Kingdom of God — and that requires our daily dependence on Him.
Earlier, when He taught His disciples to pray, Jesus also said to ask for daily bread (Matthew 6:11), which reminded them of the manna God provided for Israel in the wilderness. In Exodus 16:4, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day’” (CSB).
Centuries later, in Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus challenged His hearers not to store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy but to store up treasures in heaven. Again, this reminds us of the Exodus story, when the Israelites anxiously and disobediently collected more manna than they needed — but it rotted (Exodus 16:20).
Finally, in Matthew 6:24-25, Jesus dropped another very real fact that influences our treasures, anxieties, and Kingdom priorities: “You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life …” (CSB).
When I focus on what my money or efforts can do for me, I can’t seek first God's Kingdom and His righteousness. I’m too busy building my kingdom, only to be disappointed.
But thankfully, Jesus patiently invites me to be on mission with Him. I want to live every moment aware of His presence, adjusting my priorities to usher God’s healing, redemption, and justice into a world that so desperately needs the hope of Jesus.
Will you join me?
Father, we humbly choose to partner with You in reconciling all of humanity to Yourself. We trust that as we seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness first, You will provide everything we need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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FOR DEEPER STUDY
Matthew 6:19-20, “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal” (CSB).
What does Matthew 6 teach you about God and about yourself? How does this passage inspire or convict you to make a change in how you think, what you do, or what you believe? Share with us in the comments!
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