Daily Worship (Nov 09)

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Devotional Thought
Jesus spoke these words during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching his followers not to worry about food, clothing, or tomorrow. He reminded them that life is about more than chasing comfort or security—it’s about living for God’s kingdom. Just like in Haggai’s day, God’s people often focus on building their own houses while neglecting His. We work hard, plan wisely, and hope for peace, but we still feel empty when our priorities are off.

Seeking first God’s kingdom means putting His purposes above our own. It doesn’t mean ignoring daily needs—it means trusting that when we place God first, He takes care of the rest. In Haggai, the people were called to rebuild the temple, a sign of God’s presence among them. Today, we’re called to build God’s spiritual temple—the church—by serving others, sharing the gospel, and growing in faith.

When we live for God’s glory instead of our own comfort, we experience true blessing. The promise of Jesus still stands: when we seek first His kingdom and righteousness, everything else falls into place according to His good plan.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does this verse fit within Jesus’ teaching about worry and treasure in Matthew 6?
• Observation: What does Jesus say will happen when we “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”?
• Meaning: What does “kingdom” and “righteousness” mean in this passage?
• Main Idea: Why does Jesus call us to put God’s kingdom before our own needs and plans?
• Application: What would it look like for you to seek God’s kingdom first in your daily schedule, spending, or relationships?

Prayer
Lord, help me to stop building my own little kingdom and to seek Your kingdom first. Teach me to trust You with my needs and to live for Your glory. Strengthen my faith so that I find joy in Your presence and purpose in Your work. Amen.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Devotional Thought
In Galatians, Paul encourages believers not to give up when life or ministry feels hard. Serving God can be exhausting—especially when results are slow or invisible. The people in Haggai’s time faced the same struggle. They began rebuilding the temple but became discouraged when opposition came and progress felt small. God reminded them, “Be strong… and work, for I am with you.”

Paul’s words carry that same promise. Doing good is not wasted time; it’s planting seeds that will grow in God’s timing. The harvest may not come right away, but it will come. Every prayer, every act of kindness, every moment of obedience matters. We keep working, not because the work is easy, but because God’s Spirit is with us and His reward is sure.

In Christ, our labor is never in vain. When we get tired, we look to Jesus—the One who never gave up on us. He sowed His life in sacrifice and reaped the harvest of our salvation. Because of Him, we can persevere in kingdom work with courage and hope.

COMMA Questions

• Context: What was happening in Paul’s letter that made him encourage believers to keep doing good?
• Observation: What promises and warnings are in this verse?
• Meaning: What does Paul mean by “a harvest” and “at the proper time”?
• Main Idea: How does this verse teach us to view our work and perseverance in light of eternity?
• Application: Where are you tempted to give up in doing good? How can this verse give you strength to keep going?

Prayer
Father, thank You that You see every act of love, every word of truth, and every moment of faithfulness. When I grow weary, remind me that You are with me and that the harvest is coming. Help me to keep working for Your glory with joy and endurance. Amen.

Hebrews 12:28–29 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”

Devotional Thought
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God’s kingdom will endure forever. Everything in this world—governments, wealth, fame, even our own plans—will one day be shaken and fall. But those who belong to Christ receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

This echoes God’s promise to Zerubbabel in Haggai 2, when He said, “I will shake the heavens and the earth.” Human kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s purposes stand firm. Zerubbabel’s fragile leadership pointed ahead to the true King, Jesus, whose reign will never end. In Him, we are part of an eternal, unshakable kingdom.

This truth gives us stability in unstable times. When life feels uncertain, we remember that Christ is our foundation. It also gives us gratitude—because this kingdom is a gift, not something we build on our own. We don’t earn it by effort; we receive it by grace.

So we live with reverence and awe, working for God’s glory and trusting that no power on earth can undo what He has begun in Christ. Our King reigns, and His kingdom will last forever.

COMMA Questions

• Context: What contrast does Hebrews 12 make between the old covenant at Sinai and the new covenant in Christ?
• Observation: What two responses are commanded in verse 28, and why?
• Meaning: What does it mean that God’s kingdom “cannot be shaken”?
• Main Idea: How does knowing that God’s kingdom is unshakable shape the way we live, worship, and serve today?
• Application: How can this passage help you face fear, loss, or uncertainty with faith in Christ’s unshakable rule?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that Your kingdom cannot be shaken. When the world feels unstable, remind me that You reign forever. Fill my heart with gratitude and awe, and help me to live each day for Your unshakable kingdom. Amen.