Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God

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

One the problems we face is that we have been willing to settle for so little in God’s service. We have lost our passion. There is no longer a powerful desire for excellence when we do the work of God.

We are willing to settle for less in our spiritual lives than what God desires for us. Perhaps it is because we live without persecution in a country where we enjoy religious freedom. This freedom often causes people to take for granted things which should be held as a precious privilege and blessing. This can cause people to take their Christian commitment lightly, one in which we serve only at our convenience.

Things do not satisfy, only God satisfies. Jesus said: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Perhaps the reason we are not satisfied, is because we have lost our passion, our hunger, our thirst, for God.

When Jesus used the words hunger and thirst, he was comparing our deepest need for being justified by God with real hunger and thirst. The kind of hunger Jesus spoke about could not be satisfied by a light snack. The kind of thirst he spoke about could not be quenched by a brief sip from a water bottle. He was speaking of people who are in desperate spiritual need, such as those who are suffering from famine.

Jesus said that until we come to the point where we acknowledge such a need for God, we will not be satisfied. Is reconciling with God your deepest desire? Are you starving and thirsting for a renewed relationship with God? Nothing but God will satisfy that hunger.

Coming to the end of our own aptitude and ability brings us to a place of spiritual desperation. After we have exhausted all other possibilities, we turn to God as the only comfort in life and death.

There are those who do not hunger for God, because they hardened their hearts against him, allowing sin to control them. A hardened heart will keep you from receiving God and therefore also from reconciliation with him.

One may lose your passion for God. It is possible to work hard for Christ, fight against evil, and even suffer for Christ, without loving God passionately. And without seeking satisfaction in looking for God’s righteousness in one’s life and his salvation for the world.

Pray for passion for God. Pray that he will fuel the zeal that comes from godly love that will cause us to be hungry and thirsty for his righteousness.
Pray that God will create in us such a heartfelt desire for him, that we will not be satisfied with anything less, than with God himself.