Seeking Jesus First - March 06, 2026
“I Seek the Will of the Father”
ReflectionJesus continued to reveal the source of His perfect judgment and authority. He said:
“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” John 5:30 (NKJV)
This is a stunning statement from the One who is equal with God. Jesus—the Son in whom the Father was well pleased—declared that He could do nothing of Himself. His judgments were righteous, His actions flawless, His miracles undeniable—not because He operated independently, but precisely because He refused to seek His own will. He listened to the Father, aligned with the Father’s will, and acted accordingly. Submission was the secret of His power.
In the Kingdom life, this pattern is not reserved for Jesus alone—it is the pathway for every son and daughter. When I seek my own will first, my judgment becomes skewed. I see through the lens of my desires, my fears, my plans, my timing. I rationalize, justify, and sometimes push forward because “I want to.” But self-will clouds discernment. I miss the gentle leading of the Spirit, ignore the checks in my spirit, and often end up at a dead end—wondering why God’s voice grew quiet. Only then do I turn back and seek Him again.
How much better to start with His will!
Jesus shows us the better way: submit the will first. When I delight myself in the Lord, He places His desires within me (Psalm 37:4). He considers my heart’s longings, shapes them, and aligns them with His perfect plan. But the order matters—delight first, submit first, seek His will first. My will does not get a vote in the outcome when I have already laid it down. Yet in that surrender, I find clarity, peace, and righteous judgment.
Think of it like using a GPS app on a long road trip. If I check the route before I leave and keep glancing at it along the way—adjusting when it reroutes, heeding the warnings about traffic or roadblocks—I arrive safely and efficiently. But if I ignore the app, charge ahead on my preferred path because “I know a shortcut,” I’ll waste time, hit detours, run out of gas, or get lost entirely. Only when I finally pull over and re-enter the destination do I get back on track.
How much wiser to start the journey seeking the Father’s direction! When I submit my will at the beginning—asking, “Not my will, but Yours be done”—I avoid unnecessary detours. I hear clearly. I judge righteously. I walk in the authority that comes from alignment, not independence.
In the Kingdom life, true freedom and power flow from surrendered will. Jesus lived this perfectly so we could follow. The Father is still speaking. The question is: will we seek His will first, or our own—and then wonder why the road got hard?
ApplicationToday, pause before any decision—big or small—and ask: “Father, what is Your will here?” Lay your desires, preferences, and plans at His feet. Renew your mind to this truth: when I seek my own will first, my judgment is skewed; when I seek His will first, clarity comes. Delight yourself in Him today—spend time in His Word and presence so He can shape your desires. Then move forward in obedience. Watch how much smoother the path becomes when you start seeking His will rather than forcing your own. Share with someone how seeking God’s will first kept you from a detour—your testimony can encourage them to do the same.
PrayerHeavenly Father, thank You for the example of Your Son, who could do nothing of Himself because He sought only Your will. Thank You that You invite us into the same surrendered life. Today we choose to lay down our own will first. Renew our minds so we seek You before we step. Help us delight in You so You can place Your desires in our hearts. Give us ears to hear and hearts to obey quickly. Keep us from charging ahead in self-will and the detours that follow. Lead us in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake, and let our lives reflect the righteous judgment that comes from alignment with You. In Jesus’ name, giving thanks for the living Word of the Lord. Amen.