Blessed Are They That Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness

To hunger and thirst after righteousness is to feel a compelling need or strong desire for the things of God.  According to Coffman, righteousness "means keeping God's commandments (Luke 1:6); is revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:17); and may be obtained in only one way, namely, by obedience to God's commandments, all of which are righteousness (Psalms 119:172)."  As Christians we ought to desire the things of God as strongly as food and water for they sustain spiritual life.

The promise for those who hunger after righteousness is that they will be filled.  Of all of man's desires, a thirst for righteousness is the only one that can ever be wholly satisfied.  Though we may eat and drink until full it is only temporary contentment.  Those who desire fame and fortune may find gratification but only for a while.  But Jesus promises true and final satisfaction to all who desire and seek righteousness.

What do you hunger for?  Riches will perish.  Knowledge will fail.  Pleasure is short lived.  Satisfaction of our physical needs and desires must be continually renewed and the time will come when we will not be able to meet them.  How wonderful it is to know we will be filled when we seek the things of God.

Thomas Sneed