Blessed are those who thirst and hunger for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 NKJV
Have you ever been really hungry or really thirsty? The heat and humidity we experience here in Southeast Louisiana can bring on a powerful thirst when you are out in it.
And how often do we say, “I’m starving to death,” when we have only become uncomfortably hungry? How long we can actually go without food? This can vary from one person to another because it depends on many individual factors. An average range is said to be between 8-21 days.
When it comes to water, the bodies organs begin to shut down when the body becomes dehydrated. So, the body can only survive a few days without water.
Our Scripture passage doesn’t say blessed are those who thirst for water and hunger for food. It says blessed are those who thirst and hunger for righteousness. We should crave righteousness more than we crave food or drink. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.”
When we thirst and hunger for God, all our needs will be met. When we think about physically being thirsty or hungry, we know that we do all we can to immediately satisfy that thirst or that hunger. Often times, however, we don’t recognize our thirst and hunger for God and His righteousness.
Have you ever craved a certain food but tried to satisfy that craving by eating something else? It just doesn’t work. If you are craving a brownie, it’s not likely that you will satisfy that craving with a celery stick. Or at least it’s never worked for me.
It’s the same way when we crave God. I spent years of my life not understanding that it was Him I was craving. I tried to satisfy my craving with failed relationships, partying with friends, working and spending time with my family. These things aren’t all necessarily bad things but when we put them first and leave Jesus out, we can never be satisfied.
When I rededicated my life to Christ and put Him first above all other things, everything fell into place.
When we thirst and hunger for the Lord, nothing else will do. We were made to thirst and hunger for Him. David spoke of thirsting for God in Psalm 63:1 and 42:1-2. Isaiah 55:1 says, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
In Revelation 7:16-17 John wrote of the multitudes who had come out of the tribulation and said, “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to the fountains of living waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
In Psalm 23:1, David said, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
When you are thirsty you eagerly seek drink. When you are hungry, you eagerly seek food. Jesus gives us the water of life. He told the Devil in the wilderness man could not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
When we crave Jesus, we will seek Him with all our heart. We will love Him with all our heart, our soul and our mind. Nothing will distract us or get in the way of going to our life source.
If you are hungering and thirsting for the peace and comfort and joy that only Jesus can provide, run to Him. He is the life the truth and the way and no one goes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). He will bless you and fill you up when you thirst and hunger for righteousness.
What are you waiting for?
Have a great day!