Flourish Even More in 2024… in Righteousness – Part 2

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6 NKJV)

    This verse is a part of a familiar passage that we are often taught to memorize when we are children but now, as adults, our minds may tend to rattle past without much thought or concentration – we know the gist of it so we skim over and move on. In our desire to flourish even more this year in righteousness, let’s take the time to pause and consider it.

    The word “hunger” as it is used here, means ‘to pine, to famish, and to crave.' It also means ‘to toil for daily subsistence, to be starving.’ “Thirst” in this passage simply means ‘to thirst for.’   

    We may have at one time or another experienced hunger, even getting hangry (angry because you’re so hungry) because you haven’t eaten for several hours and anyone who has worked outdoors under the summer sun knows how parched the heat can make you feel.

    We understand this on some level in the physical realm, but what about in the spiritual realm? Do you crave righteousness? Do you awake famished for it? Do you work toward it, toil for it, as though your life depends on it? Do you thirst for more and more knowledge of God and His will, so you can obey it?

    God promises that those who crave, toil, and thirst for righteousness (living right before God, according to His will) will be filled.

    “Filled” means ‘to gorge (supply food in abundance), feed, fill, satisfy.’ WOW!!

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, come, buy and eat… Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance, incline your ear, and come to Me, hear, and your souls shall live.” (Isaiah 55:1a, 2-3 NKJV)

    “…eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.” ABUNDANCE! Unlike our occasional tables of bounty, the abundance God offers to us is available all the time! Every hour of every day!! And the supply will never run dry – eat and drink to your fill, nourish your soul, and keep coming back again, and again, and AGAIN! “…eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”

    God will fill you with righteousness when you hunger and thirst for it! Taste His word – try His way! Obey His commands and instructions – trust Him!! As you discover God's wisdom and the benefits that come from obeying His will (Psalm 68:19) your desire to learn and to do His will each day will increase and He will continue to satisfy you, He will continue to FILL YOU UP!! 

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man you trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8 NKJV) 

You can do it! So can I!!