SCRIPTURE - Matthew 5:3-6
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
OBSERVATION
Jesus is the Messiah. The chosen one. The one to bring freedom to the people of Israel and establish their mighty kingdom as a conquering king! But the types of people he says have special blessing are those who are lowly, persecuted, broken hearted, peaceful, meek and kind. Jesus doesn't really look like the warrior king much of Israel hoped and prayed for.
Jesus establishes an upside-kingdom: one that seeks to bless and uplift those who we often think are at the bottom. It's not really about achievement or success or expansion; it’s about comfort, restoration, adoption, and inheritance of God's original plan for relationship with us.
APPLICATION
If you've never done a fast like this, you now have a very powerful understanding of hungering and thirsting. When we deprive ourselves of common food comforts, it's wild how badly we can desire a rich, juicy cut of steak, a spongey, sweet chocolate cake, or a bubbly, fizzy soda. (Hungry yet?)
Jesus says that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. When we are really hungry, we see in our mind what we want. We can feel a physical longing for it in our gut. We can almost taste it. God wants us to feel that way about the things that honor Him and help people better know Him.
Hungering for righteousness is having a heart that aches to live a life that pleases God. This isn't out of fear, earning love, or building up your image. It's a profound longing in your soul to thank God for the gift of life He's given by submitting the entirety of yourself to honoring His ways.
PRAYER
Today, ask God what He wants you to hunger for. Picture it in your mind. Desire it with your heart. Almost taste it. God is a good Father. Even parents here on earth know and desire to feed their children when they are hungry. How much more will God satisfy the hunger of our souls when we bring it to him?
"God, make me hunger in my heart and thirst in my soul for righteousness. I want to honor you with every facet of my life. I want to want that more than anything else. Focus my desires on yours, and give me the strength to follow your direction as I pursue them. In Jesus' name, amen.”
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