Are the righteous not qualified to come before Me and make their requests known? Have they not been given express permission to enter My throne room without exception? So then why do so many of My chosen neglect to respond to this standing invitation when it has been made clear that they may enter at any time?
What is it that keeps them from joining Me here? Is it the false perception of their position and standing with Me? For some must believe that what keeps them away is that I still count their sins against them. But regardless of what they have done in the past, or the present, My door still remains open, and access is still granted. So if I won’t turn any away, why do these not seek an audience with Me?
Is it unbelief that is holding their hearts captive, causing them to think I will not answer their request, and so then, why bother? Yet this is nothing but a lie that the enemy has repeated so that My own children will think it a pointless endeavor to ask Me for a favor. Therefore, what I had hoped for is diminished, which was that My spacious courts would be teaming with believers eager to meet with their King: those who are excited at the prospect of standing before Me so that the request held in their hearts could be heard. Instead, very few choose to enter through the chamber door, though it is already ajar. And so My great hall, which can host far more than a small group, only sees a low percentage of My own actually enter, as many of these would rather handle matters on their own.
Repeatedly I have mentioned this desire that I am longing to meet daily. Yet this request seems to have fallen on deaf ears, evidenced by the limited response I have received. However, there are the wise few who have accepted My invitation and show up on a continuing basis to make their petitions known and to also discuss the current struggles that are troubling them. So then these who seek Me out for counsel have found that My advice is always perfect, because I can see a situation from all sides, allowing them to easily arrive at the correct solution, so that their days are not wasted in endless hours of striving.
So if seeking Me first is the advice I have given, then it would seem a prudent strategy to listen to this command. For if I am sought at the outset, and a premium is put on hearing My counsel, then many extra issues can be avoided (because a man left to his own devices will muddle what could be an easy fix).
I work contrary to the recommendations of this world, which states that I am pleased with a man when he “helps himself”. (The underlying motivation of this statement is to lead man astray by relying on himself for the answers, as if his independence would somehow make Me happier, like a child who is suddenly grown and no longer needs the support of his parents.) Yet, My kingdom does not function this way. For though I created unique individuals by designing each one with distinct personalities and gifts, these were meant to all work in unison and flow together with Me at the center (much like a symphony orchestra with me as the Conductor). So then, thinking I am much more satisfied when My children operate independently did not originate from My Kingdom, and so should be cast-off as a lie (though it sounds almost true).
The honest message My Son gave when encouraging others to pray was astute, because it carried the divine directive of looking to Me first. These simple instructions were delivered with very clear articulation so that My own would not have to question what their initial move should be once a new day had started, or when they encountered some puzzling problems, or had questions about their needs being met. He made My will plainly known: that I am to be sought out as the primary source for everything and all that is necessary for life.
Then which of My children will be found in want, and who among them will know lack? If I have promised to accurately guide them in all things throughout their days, then why would any of My own be discouraged from turning My direction and charge straight into My courts to receive counsel?! It would seem only obvious to the ones standing nearby (meaning those who are observing My children) that if their Heavenly Father is as He claims to be (all-knowing, ever-present, and the One who has complete power), then searching anywhere else for an answer would seem a ridiculous practice.
If what My children proclaim is true, then it would only make sense that their behavior should confirm their statements, because oftentimes actions speak louder than words, exposing (as confirmation) what a person really believes about Me. For if some of My children declare that I am their Father, and boast in My abilities to meet all their needs, and yet depend more upon their own skills to bring provision, then how does this bear witness to those around them who are lost? Shouldn’t the lives of My own speak the Truth with more than mere words? Isn’t it a life of full surrender that catches the attention of the most desperate: those who are lost and in need of the Savior?
If My own children are only interested in a limited relationship, and believe that “superficial” will suffice, then the message they are giving off to the world really doesn’t underscore the finished work My Son did on the cross. For the very essence of His sacrifice was that all mankind could now know Me, and that His death reinstated what was lost in the Garden, which was: the straight on approach to My Presence. For He became the permanent “go-between” so that a ‘one on one’ relationship with Me could be had for each and every one of My children.
But it would seem that some of what has been gained through His gift is lost on a good number of those who refer to themselves as My children. And while some of My own have taken full advantage of their rights as ‘joint-heirs’ by accessing My throne room quite often, there are some who don’t see the blessing His love afforded them. For salvation seems to be their only concern, believing that once their soul was secured, the rest of their days can now be spent chasing after folly.
Yet, how foolish is a man when his first inclination is to lean on his own understanding and assume that he himself is the one who is qualified to give proper direction. Oh, what a conundrum My children find when “seeking Me” is low on their list, where they have gone down every other avenue to find an answer, then look to Me as a last resort once these other possible solutions have failed. So then, the ones who have taken seriously the charge to “seek Me first” would seem to be the more discerning of My children, for they listened, then heard, and by putting My words into action, thereby agreed with what I have said.
So to those of My children who are still struggling to trust Me, and who are not certain that total dependence on Me is for them, let Me assure you that there is no safer bet than to lay your life completely in My hands. For I will not fail to come through for you time and again because I am always faithful. And though, at times, we may not agree that My answer is best, in those moments just remember that I am working your life out for your good, as it is My desire that all of My children live an exceptional life. But this can only happen if you put into practice the message of seeking Me first.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33
“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.” –Proverbs 3:5-6