Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Remember that Jesus said this in a day and to a culture that really knew what it was to be hungry and thirsty. For many of us today, to be hungry means we have not eaten in several hours. We do not fully comprehend the true hunger and the true thirst of not having food or drink for days or even weeks. Therefore you may find it difficult to hunger and thirst after righteousness. Being hungry for something to eat, or thirsty for something to drink, is a result of not having those basic necessities for a prolonged period of time. In order for you to hunger and thirst for righteousness, you must go through a period of time where you go without the cravings of your flesh. When you satisfy yourself with the desires of your flesh you will never hunger for righteousness or be truly filled. For example, when you are hungry and you have the choice of eating a snickers bar or an apple, both will satisfy your hunger but only one will be the healthier choice for you. In order to have a hunger and thirst for righteousness, there must be the starving of your flesh and an emptying of yourself.

Challenge:

What would you say you hunger and thirst for currently? Do you want to make more money? Are you striving for greater success in your career? These desires are not bad in and of themselves, unless they are all you are aiming for in life. I believe that if you focus on living right and living godly, the Lord will take care of your finances and He will make you successful in whatever career path you are on. What would have to change in your life and in the choices you make every day for you to hunger and thirst for righteousness? Challenge yourself this week to increase your appetite for the Lord by creating a hunger for right living. If you had dinner plans tonight with friends at your place and on your way home you pulled into McDonald’s and got a Big Mac and a large order of fries, and then proceeded to consume your little snack, how hungry would you be for dinner? This is what happens to us spiritually. We fill ourselves with the junk food of the world and therefore have no room for God. Do you love to pray? Ask God to bring someone to you everyday this week so you can pray with them. Do you know God’s word? Share the scriptures with a coworker in need, or a neighbor who is struggling, or your friend who’s heart is broken. Satisfy your hunger and thirst for the Lord and stay way from the junk. May the Lord bless you.