29 Nov 2024, 09:24Catherine Anthony Boldeau
But seek first his KINGDOM and his righteousness
The old African-American spiritual ‘In the Morning When I Rise’ ends each stanza with the phrase, ‘Give me Jesus’. As the dawn breaks and the light of day replaces the gloom of night, our waking thoughts should be gratitude, thankfulness and praise to the Almighty God. “...your first thought in the morning should be of Him in whom is centred our hope of eternal life” (Our High Calling, pg. 116, Ellen G White).
But seeking God first should be more than a morning ritual. When challenges arise, before we enter our workplaces, in our church meetings, when at an impasse, we should seek God first.
“Enoch walked faithfully with God...” (Genesis 5:24a). This man gave God first place in his life. “Enoch’s walk with God was not in a trance or vision, but in the duties of his daily life... His heart was in harmony with God’s will. He spent much time in solitude, giving himself to meditation and prayer. To him, prayer was the breath of the soul, and he lived in the very atmosphere of heaven” (Patriarchs and Prophets, pg. 86, Ellen G White).
Do you want to live in the “very atmosphere of heaven?”
Does your soul long to breathe in the love of the Father?
Do you desire to walk faithfully with God?
Then, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness...” Consult God before anyone, any theory, any expert. Your “joy will be full” in this life, and you can look forward to eternal life.
The old African-American spiritual ‘In the Morning When I Rise’ ends each stanza with the phrase, ‘Give me Jesus’. As the dawn breaks and the light of day replaces the gloom of night, our waking thoughts should be gratitude, thankfulness and praise to the Almighty God. “...your first thought in the morning should be of Him in whom is centred our hope of eternal life” (Our High Calling, pg. 116, Ellen G White).
But seeking God first should be more than a morning ritual. When challenges arise, before we enter our workplaces, in our church meetings, when at an impasse, we should seek God first.
“Enoch walked faithfully with God...” (Genesis 5:24a). This man gave God first place in his life. “Enoch’s walk with God was not in a trance or vision, but in the duties of his daily life... His heart was in harmony with God’s will. He spent much time in solitude, giving himself to meditation and prayer. To him, prayer was the breath of the soul, and he lived in the very atmosphere of heaven” (Patriarchs and Prophets, pg. 86, Ellen G White).
Do you want to live in the “very atmosphere of heaven?”
Does your soul long to breathe in the love of the Father?
Do you desire to walk faithfully with God?
Then, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness...” Consult God before anyone, any theory, any expert. Your “joy will be full” in this life, and you can look forward to eternal life.
