Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness

02-09-01

Most of us have never really experienced prolonged hunger or thirst. I know a brother in Ghana, who for many years could not find full time employment, though he went looking everyday. One day I asked him how he and his family managed. He said the brethren would help when they could but many times his family only had water to drink but no food. He and his family know what true hunger is.

The hungering and thirsting that Jesus is referring to in this beatitude is that type of hunger and thirst. He is referring to those whose desire to be right with God is like a gnawing hunger and an unquenchable thirst. Also, in the original language the righteousness that is hungered for is a complete righteousness, not a partial righteousness. One writer penned, "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for the whole of righteousness, for the total righteousness, for the complete righteousness."

Who are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness? Those who realize they are destitute without God, and because of that realization grieve over anything which would separate them from God, therefore they yield themselves to God. Are you that type of person?

Matthew Henry wrote, "Our desires of spiritual blessings must be earnest and importunate; Give me these or else I die; everything else is dross and chaff, unsatisfying; give me these, though I had nothing else"

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...