All is well

The lead Scripture for today is found in Matthew 6:33 and it says;

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

and all these things shall be added to you."

Today, I am here to encourage us that the confession we profess as believers that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour informs every decision of our lives. This means we constantly remember our confession and reflect on the finished work of the cross that Jesus accomplished for us that is, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that we can receive in our spirit man and have access to that abundant and eternal life that Jesus died to give us.

My illustration is based on two Bible stories, one in the Old Testament and another in the New Testament.

The Old Testament in 2 Kings Chapter 4:8-37 has a story of a Shunammite woman who out of the kindness of her heart was hospitable to a prophet of God called Elisha. As a result of her generosity towards God's kingdom, Elisha wanted to bless her but she was reluctant to receive a blessing as she was content with her life. However, one of the prophets servant's revealed to Elisha that she had no child with her husband and truly God blessed them with a son. Her act of kindness by serving and assisting the ministry of Elisha, a prophet of God added to her a blessing of a child she never imagined to have. However, as the story continues, her child abruptly died. On her journey to seek help from Elisha, she activated her faith and kept responding; "it is well" to everyone who inquired of her well-being including her husband. Indeed, all turned out to be well for her because her child was brought back to life by Elisha for the glory of God's kingdom.

The New Testament in Luke 15: 11-32, Jesus tells a story of the parable of the lost son. However, my focus today is more on the older son of the father who stayed home and was unhappy with the father's decision to celebrate his younger brother who returned home after squandering his inheritance.

The older brother complained that he was never thrown a party yet he had never transgressed any of the father's commandments (Luke 15:29). The father's response to the older son was, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours." (Luke 15:31).

The father in this story represents God and I reiterate, all that our Heavenly Father has is yours and mine to possess.

Based on both these stories, I invite you to reflect and focus on all that you have through the Heavenly Father and especially the promises of God in His Word like the spiritual blessings of love, peace, joy, wisdom, favour, righteousness that God has given His children because we are united with Christ Jesus. The Bible in Romans 14:17 says, "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Seeking first the kingdom of God and focussing on the eternal inheritance we have in Christ should inform our lives as believers both when times are good and challenging because all is well with us. Jesus finished it all (John 19:30) and thanks to our faith in Him we have everlasting life "as His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue," (2 Peter 1:3).

I conclude with this amazing truth found in 1 John 5:20;

"And we know that the Son of God has come and given us an understanding,

that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.

This is the true God and eternal life."

AMEN.