What on earth does ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness’ mean? Am I doing it? How do I do that? What’s He mean, ‘will be filled?’
I know. So many questions for our 21st Century minds! I think if we break down the words and phrases, we’ll get it. Wanna try?
Righteousness: right standing before God
Hunger and thirst: actively seek
Blessed: Fortunate, happy, and spiritually prosperous
Let’s look at two other translations:
“Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous – in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation – are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!” Amplified, Classic
“God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!” Contemporary English Version
Have you noticed yet that Jesus didn’t say “work for righteousness”? He didn’t. He said hunger and thirst for. Once again, He is talking about the heart position. A place only He truly knows.
There’s nothing we can do to gain right standing before God. That comes only through Jesus Christ who, by sacrificing Himself on the cross for us, exchanged our sins for His righteousness. Seems like what we’re to hunger and thirst for is Jesus.
God sees you who long to be obedient to Him more than anything, but you keep falling into the same old habits. He knows you, the one whose heart turns to Him even when you’re not praying.
He knows our heart’s desires – that which we crave more than the momentary enjoyment food or drink gives.
Being satisfied? Like after a great meal where we’re comfortably full?
Yeah. Like that. With God’s blessings on top.
Imagine utter soul satisfaction. The kind that nothing on this earth can come close to providing. All yours for the seeking.
Let’s choose today to make the conscious, intentional decision to actively seek that right standing before God so that we are fortunate, happy, and spiritually prosperous.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
