“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
The early settlers at Jamestown remind us that when life is uncertain, worship must become our first priority, not our last resort.
It was on this date, May 14, 1607, the settlers at Jamestown began the difficult work of establishing the first permanent English colony in America. They were exhausted, hungry, and unsure of what the future held. They faced an unfamiliar land, unpredictable weather, sickness, and the constant weight of survival. Yet history tells us something remarkable happened: it didn’t take long before they began holding church services.
Before the houses were built, before the fort was secure, before their routines were established, they gathered to worship. Their first church wasn’t a building at all, it was a clearing under the trees, with a sail from one of their ships stretched between branches to provide shade. Their pulpit was a simple wooden plank nailed between two trunks. It was humble, makeshift, and temporary. But it was holy.
Why? Because worship has never depended on comfort, structure, or perfect conditions. Worship is the declaration that God comes first, before our fears, before our work, before our plans, and before our survival instincts. Those settlers understood something we often forget: if God is not at the center, nothing else holds together.
Scripture echoes this truth. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Jesus didn’t say seek God after everything settles down. He said seek Him first, right in the middle of uncertainty.
The Jamestown settlers didn’t know what the next day would bring. But they knew Who held their days. So they prayed. They sang. They listened to Scripture. They asked for God’s protection, wisdom, and mercy. And in doing so, they built a spiritual foundation stronger than the wooden fort they were constructing.
Their example challenges us today. When life becomes overwhelming, our instinct is to fix, plan, and push through. But the settlers remind us that the first step is to worship. To pause. To pray. To place our lives back into God’s hands.
Worship doesn’t remove our challenges, but it reframes them. It reminds us that God is bigger than the unknowns, stronger than the obstacles, and faithful in every season. When we put Him first, everything else finds its place.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the example of those early settlers who chose worship even in uncertainty. Teach me to seek You first—not after I’ve tried everything else. Help me build my days, my decisions, and my future on the foundation of Your presence. Strengthen my faith when the path ahead feels unclear, and remind me that You are with me in every step. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
