INSATIABLE HUNGER FOR GOD

Matthew 5:6; Matthew 5:10; Hosea 10:12; Psalms 17:15

It is only logical that Jesus would use hunger and thirst to describe the great need to desire righteousness. When I think of the times I have had hunger pangs and have melted at the display of food, I could cry. The physical hunger (unwilful; fasting not considered) is a feeling we can relate to. It is a frequent human urge. People get grumpy, some get agitated until that “void” is filled. Desperation being at the center. What if we desired righteousness and sought after it like we seek after the fleshy satisfaction (power, comfort, recognition, success)? Psalms 63:1 should be our daily prayer “….my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you.”

“Nothing would better express the strong desire which we ought to feel to obtain righteousness than hunger and thirst. No needs are so keen, none so imperiously demand supply, as these.” Barnes

I cannot emphasize enough how the beatitudes are interdependent and the successful cultivation of one (though we will never fully attain completion until Christ returns) will always give room for the adoption of another. Poor is spirit seems to be the first step in the ladder/ foundation in this case and upon realizing how empty we are, we take up the posture to be filled by God and we mourn over our filth and we embrace meekness by willfully being subject to the will of God and our motives are realigned to best suit His purposes.

HOW?

In Galatians (and part of his other letters) Paul reminds us that we cannot earn righteousness by our own efforts and neither do we acquire it from checking off all the requirements from the law. .Isaiah even goes ahead to remind us that our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) So how is this righteousness accorded to us? The kind of righteousness referred to is the kind that is imputed by God and received by faith. (Romans 1:17). Our righteousness amounts to nothing. (Romans 10:3-4).

“The righteousness of Christ is a gift to be treasured, not a virtue to be sought.” Colin Smith

Matthew Henry  says righteousness grows out of a deep and abiding love for Jesus Christ. The blessings of heaven are purchased for us, not by our own holiness but by the righteousness of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

MEET THE ONE WHO SATISFIES THE HUNGER OF MY SOUL AND QUENCHES MY THIRST.

I love the story of the woman at the well in John 4 for so many reasons but most especially because she is a representation of most of us; those who get caught up in trying to satisfy with other things even though we know where true satisfaction comes from and those who sometimes are ignorant and unaware .In each of us , there is a vacuum that can only be filled by God; not endless gorging of affirmation, comfort food or activities. (Jeremiah 2:13)

“To enjoy the comfort of living water, and to honor God, we must pry our hands off broken cisterns.” K.Dodson

ENDLESS HUNGER?

That’s a gospel mystery if I do say so myself. It appears paradoxical as we are told we will never thirst again (John 4:14) and yet the more we experience of Jesus, the more we long for Him. It is a hunger we will always have and yet the promise to be filled is eternally with us thus the endless invitation to sit at His feet. The prayer is to grow in the grace and knowledge of God (2 Peter 2:18) which insinuates that at every point of encounter, we are ushered into different levels of growth; maturity. Endless hunger for Christ invites us to this space of growth.

“None honors God like the thirst of desire.” Faber

Another reason to cultivate this prayer of righteousness and hunger for God is because we are still in this world and often times, our attention will be invited elsewhere by the temptation of sin ; we are prone to wander but we have to remain firm in ensuring we do not give away our affections. The more hunger there is for Jesus, the further the appetite for sin is shoved away; you begin to have distaste for the things that aren’t of God. What then is the goal? Pursue righteousness, holiness and strive to advance righteousness in the world.

But........Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:10-12

1 Peter 4:16

 PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE.

Pursuing righteousness means going contrary to the world’s systems. It means standing out rather than fitting in. It means fighting for truth and integrity where there exists lies and injustice. It means constantly following the example of what the Righteous Judge, our God would do. It means pursuing God’s way and these choices can result in suffering and in opposition.

We can sometimes get caught up in believing that there is no persecution and sometimes think this beatitude is not for the modern day Christian because of the freedom of worship in our various nations and yet there are places where the preaching of the gospel is forbidden. Places where the possession of a Bible is a crime, where people are flogged because of their faith. I invite you to join in in praying for those facing persecution that they may be strengthened because there is a promise granted, there is a surety of  deliverance, there is heaven that is theirs to possess. Rejoice for great is your reward in heaven , for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:12)

Our satisfaction and fulfilment in Christ only increases with our hunger for Him, let’s stay hungry. So we pray, open to us the gates of righteousness and we will go through it, praising you. ( Psalms 118:19)

You are light and you are so loved. Stay anchored and keep His light shining through.