Hungry and Thirsty?
POSTED Mar 31, 01:21 PM
From the Pastor’s Desk -Hungry and Thirsty for More and More Righteousness
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
First, note that hunger and thirst are the strongest of all the appetites of the body. In the same way this hunger in the soul, this thirst after the image of God, is the strongest of all our spiritual appetites.
Secondly, observe, that from the time we begin to hunger and thirst, those appetites do not cease, but are more and more craving and persistent, until we either eat and drink, or die. Likewise, from the time that we begin to hunger and thirst after the whole mind which was in Christ, these spiritual appetites do not cease, but yearn for food and drink with more and more persistence. In fact, if there is any spiritual life remaining in us, they cannot possibly cease, before they are satisfied,
Thirdly, note that hunger and thirst are satisfied with nothing but food and drink. If you would give to him that is truly hungry everything else in the world, fine clothes, treasure, gold and silver, honor, etc, he would not care about any of it. All he would care about would be to eat and drink. It is the same with the soul that truly hungers and thirsts after righteousness. He can find no comfort in anything but this: He can be satisfied with nothing else.
Fourthly, it is impossible to satisfy a hungry soul, a soul that is thirsty for God, the living God, with anything the world can offer. Yet so many try to satisfy their longings with what the world thinks will bring happiness, peace, and satisfaction – all in vain.
The knowledge of God in Christ Jesus; “the life which is hid with Christ in God;” the being “joined unto the Lord in one Spirit;” the having “fellowship with the Father and the Son;” the “walking in the light as God is in the light;” the being “purified even as He is pure;” — this is what the hungry and thirsty soul really craves.
Fifthly, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” In other words, the soul that is truly hungry and thirsty for righteousness shall be blessed. They shall be blessed because they shall be filled with the things which they long for; even with righteousness and true holiness. God will satisfy them with the blessings of his goodness. He will feed them with the bread of heaven, with the manna of his love, and with the Living Water, Jesus Christ Himself.
Finally, note that if God has given you a hunger and a thirst for righteousness then pray that you never lose that hunger and thirst. It is a gift from God to hunger and thirst for more and more righteousness. It is a precious gift from God that “satisfies my longings as nothing else could do” and leaves us wanting more and more at the same time. The more righteousness we receive, the more we realize we need. So pray that Christ will fill you up and satisfy you, and pray that this divine appetite never ceases.
Do you really hunger and thirst for more and more of the righteousness of Christ?
