Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
Hunger and thirst are commonly used to illustrate our drive or passion. We talk about someone’s thirst for vengeance or hunger for success or attention. We might miss the depth of this picture in our modern world because our experience with true starvation or thirst is limited. But to the audience of Jesus this was a powerful picture.
Even after a satisfying meal, my body will eventually hunger again. When I’m hungry, really hungry, it’s hard to think of anything else until I can satisfy that desire. That’s the picture. The blessed are those who pursue righteousness with that same single-minded relentlessness - a craving for Him. And it is a continuous circle – being filled, wanting more and being filled again – drawing ever closer to God. Like our bodies, after being filled, the spiritually healthy will hunger for more of Him.
What is this righteousness my soul is truly yearning for? I typically think of righteousness as attaining a level of moral conduct. That is definitely something I want to pursue – to have a drive to be more like Jesus. But righteousness also is something that God alone pronounces over His people. I am righteous because I have been declared righteous. It is because of relationship and so pursuing righteousness is pursuing the One who confers that verdict.
Jesus says the blessed, those hungry for righteousness, will be filled. He also says, “seek, and you will find.” Our thirst and hunger for Him is a sign of a healthy spirit and it manifests in consistently seeking Him and His righteousness. And He is faithful to fill us up.
Our quest for bread and water continues in this earthly life, but there will one day come a feast after which our hunger will be no more. We will be completely satisfied, finding rest and peace.
Passionately pursuing righteousness is a mark of the blessed. God’s promise is that He will be found.
The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17
