Topic: God’s Standard is Righteousness [Tony Evans Ministry 6 February 2020]
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Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day. – (Psalm 25:5)
Have you ever experienced what it is like for God to have your back? That is an awesome thing. But too many people never get to experience that because they refuse to put Him first. This is His kingdom and He is the rightful King—putting Him any place other than first is foolishness.
Keep in mind we are to seek His “kingdom” and “His righteousness.” Kingdom simply means His authoritative rule along with the visible demonstration of it comprehensively in every area of life. Righteousness is the standard God requires for people to be rightly related to Him. It includes abiding by the governing guidelines He has set as the King, and humbly aligning yourself underneath the blood of Jesus Christ.
Righteousness, simply defined, is God’s standard for living life. His kingdom and His righteousness are to be what each of us seeks first. Without them, we are wandering aimlessly around without the support and the backing of our King.
In baseball, if you miss first base, it doesn’t matter what else you do. If you have run past first base without touching it, it means nothing that you touch second, third, or home plate. It doesn’t matter that everyone in the stands is cheering you or congratulating you when you cross home. Because if you miss first base, then nothing after that even counts.
In kingdom living, if you fail to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first, all else is for naught simply because He has established His rightful place as first; without it, you are on your own.
Reflection: How is failure to put God first like missing first base? Why is it necessary to seek God’s kingdom first? What does it mean to seek His righteousness? Ask God to help you keep Him first place in your life.
God, I don’t want to be on my own. I want You to have Your rightful place in my life. I want Your kingdom and Your righteousness to be my driving force and greatest passion.