Jesus said, Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

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

According to Merriam Websters' dictionary, hunger means a strong desire. Thirst means an ardent desire: craving, longing.

The folks in Jesus' time would have known what it was like to experience deep hunger for food and deep thirst in the desert terrain. Remember the folks in Judea did not have our modern conveniences of refrigeration, running water, electricity.

I can't relate to their times. However, in this world, the one we are living in, I can understand the hunger and thirst for righteousness. We see a world consumed with sin. We live in a world where a man of God, Charlie Kirk was assisinated simply for being a voice for righteousness and Jesus! We have been a party to over 63 million babies sacrificed through abortion, our nation attempts to redefine God's institutions like marriage, gender, right and wrong, evil and good.

The great deciever attempts to lure many onto the broad road that leads to destruction.

But God . . .

• God calls His children up and out of the miry clay in Psalms 42:10.

• He calls us to enter the narrow gate that leads to life. Matthew 7:13-14

• He calls us out of the darkness into His marvelous light, so that we can declare His praises! I Peter 2:9

• He calls us to forgive. Ephesians 4:32

• He calls us to repent. II Chronicles 30:9

• He calls us to receive Him. John 1:12

• He calls us to be holy. I Peter 1:15-16

• He calls us to seek wisdom, James 1:5

• He calls us to come away with Him to a quiet place. Mark 6:31

God calls us to be salt and light. A city on a hill-glowing in the night for all to see. He says we need to let our light shine so bright that all may see and praise our heavenly Father. Matthew 5:13-14

I constantly have to ask myself, how am I doing? Am I hungry and thirsty for righteousness or am living in a place of content and apathy. Where does God want me to take a place and crave His righteousness? Is there a place that He calls me to take a stand?

This leaves me to challenge the Church-how are we doing? Are we standing on Biblical Truth or have we become complacent and allowed the ways of the world to infiltrate the Bride of Christ?

Each one has to search this out with God. For He alone judges our hearts.

"For the LORD does not see as many sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. I Samuel 1:7

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Let our hearts hunger and thirst for righteousness deeply. And may we turn to the Lord who seeks to give us wisdom, clarity, and hope.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." This is a promise from Jesus. He will fill us. Only then will we be satisfied.

Dear Jesus,

We ask that you place a deep yearning within us for righteousness, one that can only be satisfied by You. For you, Jesus, are everything we need. We want to live in sync with your ways. We want to choose You and learn from You. Thank you for your words that fill us with hope, joy and peace. Invade this world with righteousness, we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.