SEARCHING (MATTHEW 7:1-12)

God loves His children and provides their needs. REFLECTION Searching is the theme for our reflection. To search means to try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly. Searching is not a hasty exercise but an exercise done in total patience and perseverance. God knows our needs yet Jesus admonishes us…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Dec 30, 2021

1–2 minutes

God loves His children and provides their needs.

REFLECTION

Searching is the theme for our reflection. To search means to try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly. Searching is not a hasty exercise but an exercise done in total patience and perseverance.

God knows our needs yet Jesus admonishes us to seek or search and we shall find, thus “…the one who seeks finds,” (Matthew 7:8). Searching is not done in a vacuum, seaching is done in anticipation to discover or find something of relevance. The spiritual principle is that prayer and faith in God sustains our ability to remain hopeful and have our prayers answered when searching. Hebrews 11:6 admonishes us that “…without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

The biggest challenge of most Christians in today’s materialistic world is that we do not know what to search for. This is as a result of our ignorance of Scripture and God’s will. Matthew 6:31-33 makes clear the most important thing to search for which moves God to provide all that we search for materially. Jesus teaches us that “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33). My dear friend, of all the things you are searching for in your life, may your most important new year resolution be the search for a deeper and fulfilling relationship with God, for “In him we live and move and have our being…”(Acts 17:28). Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, grant us the discerning spirit to prioritize the search for the Kingdom of God and His righteousness before the search for all other material needs so that we may pray aright and please God in the things we search for in life. Amen

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)