Pearls of Great Value

There are two scriptures I run to when I get overwhelmed and it seems like the enemy is winning: 

“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭AMP‬‬

 “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Both verses hold a command: Seek and Wait. You see, it’s easy to lose confidence when the sea is raging and all you see is the waves. When the mountain in front of you is so huge in your sight that it becomes insurmountable. We become so focused on the problem we forget we hold the answer. So when there is trouble on every side, how do we not get into despair? God knew, that in this life we will face these challenges. He knew we would come up against the enemy and have trials and tribulations. He knew this and so provided for us the solution. It’s Jesus. And the solution is always,always found in Him.

 Eyes focused on Jesus Christ will always see and be the light. Eyes focused on the kingdom will strengthen the heart to fight and overcome the dark. This is why, though I hear these words often, I find I still need to be reminded of them: Seek first Gods Kingdom and then Wait on the Lord! 

 

“Seek” in the Greek is the word, zēteō.  It means, to pursue and endeavor to obtain. To desire. It also means to require, to ask for. I’ve discovered, it always happens that when I’m in pursuit of my own ideas and plans, I get frustrated. Why? Because it’s not fulfilling to the Spirit within me. The Spirit longs for and desires to see the Kingdom of God increased, both in me and in the world. So when I’m in pursuit of something else, I get dissatisfied. I’ve come to learn that this feeling is a blessing. Only God satisfies the longing of the heart. 

Seeking after Him and righteousness comes with a rich reward : that which you long and ask for will be given to you. So to be in pursuit and to ask for His kingdom...is not only for His glory but also for my good! And this is where the second part comes in: Wait on the  Lord! I’ve learned that God isn’t on my timeline. He has perfect timing and He knows the plan that He has for each of us. I only see in part, but He sees in full. 

Here’s the deal though: the word “wait”, holds a lot of weight. I know that’s a play on words, but let me explain. Wait in Hebrew is the word “qavah” and means to expect, look, wait (for, on, upon.) But it also means this: gather together, and to bind together (perhaps by twisting).

So, to wait in and on the Lord is an action. It isn’t sitting back and looking up to the sky. That is why I’m saying it holds a lot of weight to it. It takes strength to live in expectant hope when our physical eyes don’t see. How do you live in hope? By gathering for yourself as many promises of God (pertaining to your situation) as you can. Hope comes from having the eyes of our heart set on Jesus. It comes from binding ourselves to His Word. I think of a cord, a threefold cord. If I’m binding myself to His word and twisting myself with Him, that is a threefold cord that is strong and not easily broken. That is how my strength is renewed and I can mount up on wings as an eagle. His strength becomes mine. His goodness surrounds me. His voice leads me. His grace empowers me. I can therefore run and not get weary and walk without fainting. That is weighty stuff! So good! And it all comes from this beginning: Wait on the Lord! Qavah on the Lord! 

 

Whatever impossible situation you might be facing today, there is hope. Whichever mountain is in front of you, it can and will be moved. That which seems insurmountable, I pray for you to see with heavens perspective. Though the storm might be raging, there is a Calm when the heart is centered on Him. He is to you a lifeline, so hold on. Hold on to that which you know to be true. When the enemy looks to you and tells you, “you have been defeated,” I pray that this whisper of truth will echo loudly in your heart: My redeemer lives and Christ is my victory! I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

 

SEEK FIRST GODS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, THEN WAIT ON THE LORD!