June 10, 2022

The Year of our Lord, Jesus Christ

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Suffice it to say that this Beatitude needs no explanation. It is very clear and easily understandable. The only thing about it is this, why are so few getting in on it? It is a mystery. Take a poll in your own mind of individuals you know. How many can you label as hungering and thirsting after righteousness? Twenty percent? Ten? One? Few, right? Some hunger and thirst after fame, others money, prestige, position, and/or many other things. But this thing of hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Few indeed. Why? Sin. For sin is the opposite of righteousness.

If a person is hungry for a cheeseburger, then eats a cheeseburger they are filled with cheeseburger. To hunger and thirst for righteousness one will partake of righteousness therefore be filled with righteousness. The blessing associated with hungering and thirsting after righteousness is to be filled with righteousness.

The subject of righteousness in the Bible is monumental. Such a short devotion on the subject could never satisfy its multifaceted definitions, practical displays, eternal consequences, and overall impact on society. But one sentence spoken by our Lord encapsulates the subject quite nicely. It is a lesson, a challenge, a goal, and a promise all wrapped up in simple to understand words. Which are:

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Until next time,

William T. Howe, Ph.D.