Devotional by J.Pierce

Estimated Read Time:

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14–16 minutes

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Prayer

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Abba Yahweh (Father God),

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You know our every need before we speak a word. Yet so often we let fear and anxiety crowd out trust. Today, we lay our worries at Your feet. Teach us to seek Your kingdom first, to honor Your rule and righteousness in all things.

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Through Yeshua (Jesus), we release control and choose faith over fear. When our hearts grow restless, remind us that You are not distant—you are present, providing, guiding, and sustaining.

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By Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), reorder our priorities, calm our minds, and realign our focus. Let Your peace guard our hearts as we walk under Your divine rule.

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​In Yeshua’s name,
Amen.

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Introduction

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What if the real cure for worry isn’t more control, but more surrender?

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We live in a culture that celebrates self-reliance, yet Yeshua calls us to rest under Yahweh’s rule. Many of us spend sleepless nights thinking about tomorrow—finances, health, children, or the future—when the King simply says, “Seek first My kingdom.”

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Worry is not a life sentence; it is an invitation to reposition. Peace is not the absence of problems but the presence of divine order.

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Scripture Exploration

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Matthew 6 : 25–34 (NRSV)

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“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? … But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

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Philippians 4 : 6–7 (NRSV)

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“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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Psalm 37 : 4 (NRSV)

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“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

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​​​​​​​​Deep Dive 

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When Yeshua says “seek first the kingdom,” He isn’t adding another task to our list—He’s describing the alignment that unlocks peace.

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The Greek word for “seek” is zēteō (Strong’s G2212): to pursue, investigate, or crave.
The call isn’t passive—it’s passionate. We don’t casually stumble into peace; we seek the presence of the King.

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His “kingdom” (basileia, Strong’s G932) means His rule, His authority, His way. To “seek first” means to give Him priority, not leftovers. When Yahweh is first, peace follows naturally because worry can’t survive where He reigns.

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Relatable Scenario

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You check your phone one last time before bed, but the unpaid bill notification still flashes.
Your chest tightens as tomorrow’s deadlines and responsibilities flood your thoughts.
You whisper, “How am I going to handle all this?”

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Then a quiet thought surfaces—“Did you ask Me first?”

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You realize you’ve consulted everyone except Yahweh.
Worry took the front seat; faith sat in the back.

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Life Stories

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Maria — The Job She Didn’t Get

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Maria had been praying for months about a promotion that never came. Disappointed, she questioned if God had forgotten her. A few months later, the company downsized—eliminating the very position she had wanted. In hindsight, Maria realized that Yahweh’s “no” was not rejection but protection. By seeking Him first instead of chasing status, she discovered peace that no paycheck could buy.

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Darius — Provision in Priority

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When Darius lost his job unexpectedly, fear gripped him. But instead of panicking, he began each morning in prayer, reading Matthew 6 aloud and applying it. Within weeks, a smaller opportunity opened—but it came with flexible hours and time to serve at his church. He didn’t get more money, but he gained more meaning. That’s how Yahweh adds “all these things”—not always by increase, but by alignment.

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Core Message

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Worry fades when worship leads.
Peace flows where Yahweh rules.

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Seeking God first is not just about prayer—it’s about priority.
When we put His kingdom and His righteousness at the front of every decision, we find that our Father already has tomorrow handled.

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​Common Experiences

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• Losing sleep over what you can’t control.

• Checking finances or news before praying.

• Feeling spiritual burnout after constant striving.

• Confusing motion with progress.

• Forgetting that your Father knows your needs before you ask.

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Everyday Challenges

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• Choosing to pray before planning.

• Letting go of the need to control every outcome.

• Keeping God first when distractions multiply.

• Measuring success by faithfulness, not results.

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Modern Connections​

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We live in an age of information overload—every alert, email, and notification competes for first place in our attention.

But Yeshua’s words cut through the noise: “Seek first.”

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The more we center our lives on Yahweh’s rule, the more order replaces chaos. Seeking first doesn’t mean ignoring responsibility—it means trusting divine timing. It’s a daily act of kingdom loyalty, not convenience.

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Reflection and Application

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• What area of your life has worry replaced worship?

• How can you reorder your mornings so Yahweh is truly first?

• Have you mistaken motion (doing) for obedience (trusting)?

• This week, try surrendering one anxious thought daily through prayer.

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Closing Prayer

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Abba Yahweh (Father God),

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You are our Provider and King. We choose to trust Your timing, Your will, and Your care. Teach us to seek Your kingdom first in every decision, every desire, and every moment. When our minds begin to race, anchor us in Your peace that surpasses understanding.

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Through Yeshua (Jesus), remove every anxious thought and help us rest under Your rule. May Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) reorder our days so that we live from peace, not pressure.

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You are enough. You have always been enough.

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In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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Further Study:

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• Matthew 6 : 25–34 — Do Not Worry

• Philippians 4 : 6–7 — Prayer and Peace

• Psalm 37 : 4–7 — Delight and Trust

• Colossians 3 : 1–2 — Set Your Mind on Things Above

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Key Takeaway:

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When Yahweh is first, peace follows naturally.
When we seek the King, worry loses its throne.

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Concluding Thoughts:

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You don’t have to chase what Yahweh has already promised.
When you put Him first, He positions everything else in its right place.
Peace isn’t found by fixing everything—it’s found by trusting the One who rules everything.

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