Seeking God first is a fundamental principle in the Christian faith. The Bible encourages believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else, including material possessions, career ambitions, and personal desires.
By putting God first, Christians acknowledge He is the source of their strength, wisdom, and blessings. This principle is not only crucial for spiritual growth, but it also has practical implications for daily life.
This post will explore some Bible verses about seeking God first and how we can apply this principle in our daily lives.
Contents
Bible Verse About Seeking God First
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” –
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” –
Psalm 37:5-6
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” –
Matthew 16:26
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” –
What does it mean to seek God first?
Matthew 22:37
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Psalm 73:28
“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”
Lamentations 3:25-26
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:6
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”
Luke 12:31
“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
Examples of seeking God first in the Bible
Psalm 42:1
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”
Psalm 5:3
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Luke 5:16
“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”
Psalm 27:4
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
The benefits of seeking God first
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Overcoming obstacles to seeking God first
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Psalm 28:7
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
How to make seeking God first a daily habit
Psalm 143:8
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”
2 Thessalonians 3:5
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Seeking God first in times of trouble
Psalm 18:2
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 34:17
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Encouragement for those seeking God first
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Matthew 11:28-29
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
The power of prayer in seeking God first
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
James 5:16b
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
John 15:7
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Living a life of purpose by seeking God first
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Colossians 1:16
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
Conclusion
Seeking God first is not always an easy task, as it requires us to let go of our own desires and trust in God’s plans for our lives. However, the rewards of prioritizing our relationship with Him are immeasurable. By seeking God first, we gain clarity, peace, and direction in our lives. We also experience the joy of His presence, and the assurance that He is working all things for our good.
As we strive to make seeking God first a daily habit, let us remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
