Seek First the Kingdom … There Is No Second
And the difference between “seek” and “pursue.”
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
I’ve heard Kris Vallotton quote Bill Johnson, that we seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness.
Period.
There is no second thing to seek.
When Bob and I first talked about a prayer intensive in August, we tossed around different names. And since this is one of those lodestone verses for both of us, we considered “Seek” as a title.
But one of the synonyms for “seek” is “pursue,” and that one word “pursue” was speaking to me more.
As with all synonyms, it’s similar, but not identical, to “seek.”
In the scripture, “pursue” is often a negative word, used of enemies in pursuit. This goes along with the definition “follow (someone or something) in order to catch them.”
But, of course, “pursuit” is sometimes turned on its head.
Think of Psalm 23:6, that most famous of Psalms. “So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life.”
Not all the things that pursue us are bad.
“Pursue” also has a sense of goals and accomplishments, of purpose and direction, as in these definitions: seek to attain or accomplish a goal over a long period. Continue along a path. Engage in a course of action. Continue to investigate, explore, or discuss a topic, idea, or argument.
This is a wonderful season to pursue the things of the Lord:
• Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14; quoted also in I Peter 3:11)
• The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. (Proverbs 15:9)
• But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (I Timothy 6:11)
• Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (II Timothy 2:22)
As we face the last few months of the year, we have dreams and goals and visions … but we also get to pursue peace, righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
Come on!
Excerpted from Pursue.
Lord, may we pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. What a list! Thank you. We want more of you in our lives. Amen!
The God of love and peace will be with you,
Amy Joy
P.S. Basic to-dos before a three-week fast:
1) Ask the Lord what he would have you focus on prayer about for the next three weeks.
2) Ask the Lord what kind of fast he would have you do, if any (complete, partial, intermittent, soul).
Optional: Order Pursue for regular encouragement.
You are invited! Sign up for the Prayer Refresh, an email series with short prayers to pray as you go about your day. The first five readers all wrote me at different times and said, “This is changing my life.”