Those Who Hunger and Thirst

Photo by Taylor Ann Wright on Unsplash.com

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?

Are You Satisfied?

 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. Psalm 36:8 (New King James Version)

It’s Thanksgiving, a time when we look around and see the blessings God has poured out on us. 

But what about 2 months ago? Or 2 months from now?

Will we still be thankful or will our minds fill with the things we want – the things others have?

The Psalmist says that those who belong to God will be abundantly satisfied with the fullness of His house. Not just content…not even satisfied, but abundantly satisfied.

What a beautiful phrase; I love the certainly of it. We are satisfied – not we will be satisfied or we could be satisfied. We are satisfied.

The question is: Do we recognize it?

Do our hearts sing about the fullness in His house? The fullness that saturates our lives.

For some reason, it’s easier to count our needs (needs is loosely defined, of course) rather than our blessings. Even when we do acknowledge them, we only see the big things: family, friends, God’s provision.

God’s fullness often comes in soft whispers; we’ll miss them if we don’t look for them. A child’s smile in line at the grocery store. A mockingbird on a telephone line. Something on TV that makes us laugh.

Do something new today. Begin to look for abundance in the small things. Make a note when you see one.

On a difficult day, remember those things.

It’s a choice to dwell in the fullness of His house, to wade in His river. But beware, once you begin to do it, it becomes addictive.

Take a sip from His river of pleasures and rejoice.

How does God’s abundance fill your life?