Words of Hope Daily Devotional
Blessing Will Follow You
Read: Luke 12:22-34
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. (v. 31)
During Roman times, soldiers and the emperor’s subordinates were instructed to look after the well-being and welfare of the state. As such, they were supposed to do everything in accordance with the imperial laws of the day, even by sacrificing themselves. They sought the prosperity of the Empire even before their own lives. That’s one model for what Jesus is describing in today’s reading.
Swayed by our human nature, our natural inclination is to focus on our own material needs. In contrast, Jesus teaches his disciples that our focus should be on the kingdom of God before anything else, and trust God to provide for our needs. Jesus is the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Do we need food, clothing, and shelter? Yes, of course, and we should pray and work to provide for these things. But serving God, worshiping God, and telling others about God should come first, and our prayers should reflect that.
There is one important difference between being a disciple of Jesus and an imperial soldier. When we seek God’s kingdom, Jesus promises to provide everything else that we need, and blessing will follow. God’s sovereign care will fill your life, because unlike the emperor, God loves you and wants what is best for you.
As you pray, commit to seeking God’s kingdom. Ask God to provide for your needs.
About the Author
Bertina Salliu
Bertina Salliu is a historian and a scholar with the Institute for Albanian and Protestant Studies in Tirana, Albania. She also assists in scientific matters of the Albanian historic thought. Among other things, Bertina has a passion for reading, learning exotic languages, communication and public relations.
These devotionals were first published in Fjalet e Shpreses, Words of Hope’s Albanian devotional. Learn more about Words of Hope Albania, and our work in training and equipping local Christian leaders to write and share the Word of God.
Speak Life
Read: James 3:1-16 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. (v. 4) Since ancient times, ships
When Peace Collapsed
Read: Jeremiah 12:1-6 If in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? (v. 6) When I was young, I felt safe in my family, in my hometown and later on,
The Death of Lazarus
Read: John 11:1-4, 17-27, 38-44 This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God. (v. 4) As a child, I was terrified of death. I was afraid that I might suddenly die, and that thought
Who Sinned?
Read: John 9:1-11 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. (v. 1) The miracle in today’s reading is anticipated by a question the disciples ask Jesus regarding this blind man. The disciples implied their answer by
Limited Obedience
Read: John 6:16-21 O you of little faith, why did you doubt? (Matt. 14:31) In today’s reading, we turn to the disciples on the boat. In this moment of crisis, the disciples obeyed Jesus without limits—even at risk to their
Where is Your Faith?
Read: John 6:1-15 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” (v. 5) Would you be prepared