Those Who Hunger and Thirst

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Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness 

for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

Blessed (loved and favored by God) are those who hunger (used figuratively: to crave desperately or to long for) and thirst (used figuratively: to eagerly seek refreshment for the soul) for righteousness (a heart right with God) for they shall be filled (satisfied by spiritual blessings.)

Have you seen the pictures of the children in third-world countries who are emaciated? It breaks my heart! Their parents can't go to the store and get nourishing food. They can't go to the refrigerator and get a glass of cold water.

We interact with people every day who crave fulfillment but don't know that Jesus is the Bread of Life. They seek refreshment don't know that Jesus is Living Water. They might search for these things in many other ways, but only God can satisfy their deep longings.

This is a beautiful promise: those who crave to be God's children will be filled with Him. It's also a call to action to believers.

How can those who yearn find what they crave?

In Romans 10:14, Paul writes, How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Now, I'm not suggesting we all grab a poster, a Bible, and a megaphone and stand on a street corner. As believers, we're called to reveal Jesus to those around us. Although talking about His work in our lives is important, perhaps living Him before others are our most powerful "words." Sure, we're not going to be perfect. We can testify when we reach out to meet needs, but it's often more powerful when we walk in confidence of His forgiveness. 

During my time at Johnson Space Center, I worked with people of several faiths and watched them cringe with fear at the retribution they might face from their gods when they sinned. A few asked me the cause of my peace when I displeased my God. It gave me an opportunity to share the forgiveness Jesus brings when we believe in Him. When I confess my sin to God, I am assured of His forgiveness. 

Most walked away and I prayed that a seed had been planted. Occasionally, one would ask a few more questions and walk away, pondering my words. 

Step by step, we reveal Jesus' love for us and for everyone around us.  We're richly blessed and, if the seeker turns to Jesus, they will be filled with the only One who can provide true satisfaction.

Let us learn from you: Share a time when God has used you, through obedience or disobedience, to testify of His love?

Those Who Are Meek

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Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.  Matthew 5:5

Blessed (loved and favored by God) are the meek (those who are gentle, not from a position of weakness, but from a position of power) for they shall inherit (receive by right of inheritance) the earth (the whole earth under God's dominion). 

Meek...society defines this word as submissive, compliant, servile, weak. Not a desirable quality.

Is that how God wants His children to live? Submissive to the world's standards? Compliant to the society's values? Too weak to stand for Him?

Jesus referred to Himself as meek two times: Matthew 11:29 and Matthew 21:5. Obviously, Jesus is not submissive to, or compliant with, the world's standards.  In God's dictionary, to be meek is to have a lifestyle of gentleness, not submissiveness.

The meek will inherit the earth - our planet with its land and seas. I certainly hope that promise doesn't happen in the here and now! I can barely manage my own house and yard; there's no way I could handle the whole thing.

We can breathe a sigh of relief! Jesus said, "will inherit." As the earth exists now, it is under God's dominion. This inheritance is not ours today. We don't have control over this earth of land and sea but God does.

In God's perfect time, there will be a "new heaven and a new earth." We will dwell in that land of peace and perfection.
     But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where
     righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13

Ok, the teaching part's over (sorry, but I'm a teacher) and the time to apply it has come.

Jesus was able to be meek because He was totally secure in His position as the Son of God. He didn't need to be overbearing or use His power to overwhelm those "less than He." He was gentle, compassionate, and loving out of the power of complete confidence in His Father.

He was totally secure in the knowledge that He would return to His Father's right hand. He was reviled and even crucified, but these events didn't define Him. He stood strong in His true definition: Son of God, Messiah, the Name above all names!

Are we secure in our positions in God's family? Are we defined by our circumstances on earth or by the truths and promises in God's Word?

The world does not define you, only the truth of God's Word defines you:

You are sons and daughters of God.
     See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 
     And that is what we are!  1 John 3:1

Your feet are firmly planted in the truth of God's Word. 

     [You] are firmly established in the truth you now have. 2Peter 1:2

You are safe from Satan's deadly attacks because you are held in God's hand.
     ...I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
     ...I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

You will inherit riches beyond description in Heaven.
     ...and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:7
     Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17

Rejoice in your true identity. Nothing in your life can change who you are. Sure, none of us is perfect. None of us is immune to the consequences of our actions or the actions of others. Life tries to force us to see ourselves through our circumstances.

Lift your face and look to Jesus! Your identity as a child of God is true, now and forever!

Those Who Mourn

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  Matthew 5:4

Blessed - that beautiful word again. Loved and favored by God. And, again, it seems to be a contradiction, doesn't it?

They that mourn. When we're in deep sadness, do we feel favored by God?

Remember, this is a promise. Those who mourn are blessed by God and promised to be comforted.

Let's expand Matthew 5:4:

Blessed (loved and favored by God) are they that mourn (mourn for or lament): for they will be comforted (encouraged and strengthened by consolation).

Alone and hopeless. That's how we might feel when we mourn deeply for our situation. When my Mom died, I knew I would see her again but still a deep sadness covered me. I wanted to see her now! I wanted to talk to her, to sit with her now!

When I turned to God, He fulfilled His promises. 

Many of us have mourned the loss of a loved one. Some have felt hopelessness when we lost our jobs. Some of us have been devastated by unfaithfulness or betrayal. 

In every moment, God is there!

He draws close and covers us with His peace. He reminds us we are loved and cherished. We know He understands our deep sorrow because He surrendered His only Son to a horrible death - for us!

But these blessings are only the beginning. He gives us so much more.

Sometimes I've just wanted to stay in bed - maybe climb under the bed! Have you felt that way? The things ahead of us might seem overwhelming, but God gives us courage and the promise of His presence.

When we can't stand anymore, He strengthens us. He gently lifts us and helps us to go on, one step at a time. The days before us don't become easy, but they become possible.

Jesus is our Savior; He cleanses us from our sins and restores us to His family.

Jesus is also our Savior when we walk through sorrow and grief. He surrounds us with peace and love, and He gives us courage and strength.

Praise the Lord for His blessings!


Please share your thoughts.

How He has covered you with His blessings during dark days?

Poor In Spirit

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Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 

I'm reading Matthew in my Bible-study time. When I came to Chapter 5, I read the beatitudes without really thinking about them. Blessed are...Blessed are...Blessed are...

Then I stopped. God prompted me to look deeper. Has He ever done that to you? You're reading along and, all of a sudden, you feel this voice whisper, "Back up, you missed something." It happens to me a lot.

So I reread verse 3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Poor in spirit. I thought about people who feel despair, deep sorrow, or depression, People who live on the street with very little food or clothes. But I'm not sure that's who Jesus is talking about.  Why would a desperate person be called blessed?

Could it be Jesus is talking about their spiritual condition?

With the help of a couple of my reference books, Matthew 5:3 reads like this:

Blessed (loved and favored by God) are the poor (destitute) in spirit (Holy Spirit) for theirs is the kingdom (righteousness conferred by Christ on believers) of heaven (a consummately perfect region where God dwells).

Hmm. That is a bit more complicated, isn't it? Can we write it more clearly?

Those who identify with Jesus' statement realize they're spiritually poor and seek Him. He shows them favor by covering them in Christ's righteousness and promising them eternal life.

WOW! Now, that's blessed!

What about today? The verbs are present tense; Jesus' words are alive today. The rich promises are there for all of us who believe.

We are poor in spirit. We never quite "make it." There's so much to learn about God. There's so much He can teach us through His Word.  When we're aware of our poverty and open to Him, He fills us more and more.

His favor overflows! 

When we stumble, we don't have to fear. He never says, "You've gone too far! No more forgiveness for you!" We are covered in Christ's righteousness. When He looks at us, He sees us through eyes of love and righteousness. He loves us even as He loves Jesus! We are clothed eternally. We can't ruin this perfect covering, no matter how often we fall!

His love never changes!

We can rejoice because our earthly home is temporary. Our suffering and sorrows are temporary. Clouds might cover our present lives, but the Son reigns eternally. The glory of Heaven beckons us.

Our forever home is secure!

Your turn:
How have God's promises of favor, love, and security enriched your life?