This Side Of HeavenSample

Stay Hungry

Matthew 5:6 writes: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” To ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness’ connotes more than a want for righteousness but a need. Jesus is saying that those who yearn for righteousness like a starving man longs for food, and those who desire righteousness like a dehydrated man longs for water, are blessed. 

However, this longing for righteousness is not only a desire for good works, but ultimately that for Jesus Christ. This is because He is our righteousness (1 Cor 1:30). This beatitude is telling us that those of the Kingdom constantly acknowledge their need for Jesus, because they know that no one is righteous (Rom 3:10).

Jesus, our righteousness, is also our salvation. Hence, Christ is telling us that those who acknowledge their need for God through being poor in spirit (Matt 5:3) and crave for Him as their satisfaction, will be satisfied. Nothing in the world can fully satisfy but Jesus. We are to stay hungry for God and His righteousness (Matt 6:33).

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I am so grateful that You are my righteousness and I am now fully satisfied. I thank you for Your presence in my life, that heaven is in me, and I do not need to strive for anything because of You. Lord, I am hungry and thirsty for You, Your Kingdom, and Your Righteousness. May You continue to stir up a fervent fire in me that yearns for more of You. Amen.