Matthew 5:6 - Devotional
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
When we read this, we see Jesus speaking about a believer's metaphorical hunger and thirst, so the question for me is, what are we to be thirsty and hungry for? The answer, as Jesus tells us, is for righteousness. The verse says that believers should hunger and thirst for righteousness. That leads to the next logical question, what or who's righteousness? The answer, according to the verse, is God's righteousness. This points to God and his Torah as being the standard of righteousness. Also interesting is that the verb used is an active state by the believer. Scripture says blessed "are" those who are hungry and thirsting, not those who someday may hunger or those once thirsted. It is essential to be in a constant, ongoing relationship with God, rooted in his ways and not the world's twisted version of the truth, so that we understand His expectations and keep that line of communication open for when we fail, sin and repent. This communication reinforces our relationship with Jesus and His grace, allowing us access to God the Father for redemption, reconciliation, praise, and worship.
Blessed-Makarios: when God extends His benefits, describes a believer as fortunate, positioned to receive God's provisions (favor)
Hunger-peinaó: To suffer from want, to be needy.
Thirst- dipsaó: The act of desire is marked with suffering.
Righteousness- dikaiosuné: Justice, judicial approval, and the approval of God ("divine approval") based on His laws and commands.
Satisfied -chortazó: Fatten-up, fill
This sentiment is echoed in Psalms107:4-9
Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. 8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.