Lenten Reader | Day 8

The words “do not set your heart on” stand out sharply against our daily needs. “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Why does he remind us in such an admonishing manner? Just as in the Lord's Prayer, our daily needs are “given." He wants His provision and goodness to be seen by all, and glory to go to Him alone. We need not add more things and jobs to our day. We need only to seek Him. In seeking Him, we know His heart and His character and therefore can share His love and grow His kingdom.

Surrender – trust God. He knows your secrets anyway – every hurt and every offense. Release to Him all your fears and anxieties. He can handle them. He will strengthen, uphold, and guide you.

Embrace His presence – find stillness and quiet in your day. This time can be spent in prayer, meditation, or simply contemplating His love and goodness.

Exalt – keep praise and gratitude first in your reactions. Even when faced with frustrations, trials, and complications find the small blessings in the moment and call them out. We enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts and enter His courts with praise.

Kindness – serve others as we would serve Him. Showing His compassion and His abundance in how we bless and deal with others both that we know and that we do not.

He will not leave us to wither so long as we put Him first. Think of the exodus. He provided shade in the desert by providing a pillar of cloud during the day and light and heat at night by being a pillar of fire. He provided food with the manna and the quail, and He provided a day of rest and renewal on the Sabbath.

Annette Dickess