THE BEATITUDES (9)

TOPIC: THE BEATITUDES (9)
TEXT: MATTHEW 5:1-12
MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (satisfied).” ” – Matthew 5:6

“BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH DO HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED (SATISFIED).” – In His Sermon, Jesus was talking about hunger and thirst for right-being (God), right-living (personal) and right-standing (with people) -a complete righteousness which leads to greater satisfaction in this world and the world to come. In this fourth Beatitude, we will be checking our spiritual thermometer and conduct clinical examination of our spiritual lives.

Citizens especially in developing nations during this COVID-19 lockdown cried about hunger in the land hence they pressured their governments to ease the lockdown. What if we turn this hunger and crying towards righteousness before now or going forward, we would not find ourselves in this situation and God would have given us early satisfaction as promised in His words. Christian who strives for right-being and right-living will be in good standing with God. We need heart-hunger and thirst for God Himself—the desire to have a vital relationship with the One who loves us and cares for us. David wrote, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1, 2).

When Jesus spoke of hungering and thirsting, He was referring to the powerful motivation of a starving person who would give anything for a scrap of food, or someone who was dying of thirst and would give anything for one swallow of water. The question each of us should ask is “Do I have that intensity of hunger and thirst for God, His way, and His will?” Here are some tests that might help you determine whether or not you really hunger and thirst for righteousness:

1. Are you more concerned about physical things or spiritual things? Is being close to God more important to you than acquiring possessions? Is being right with God of greater concern than being popular with people? Are you more desirous of living a godly life than you are of being successful? What are your priorities? Some find it difficult to sit still to read the Word of God, while they have little trouble sitting for hours of entertainment.

2. Do you take advantage of every opportunity to be “fed” spiritually, to learn about God and His way? An old farmer told a preacher, “You seem to spend a lot of time urging people to come to Bible classes and worship. I never have to urge my cows to come to the feeding trough.” A starving person does not have to be begged to go where food is available.

3. Are you on time for spiritual “meals,” or do you show up late? A really hungry person is waiting at the table when mealtime is near.

4. Is your spiritual appetite growing and maturing? Are you starting to enjoy “solid food,” or are you still on a “milk” diet (check Hebrews 5:12–14; 1 Corinthians 3:2)?

See you tomorrow as we continue Matthew 5:6: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

“Christian who strives for right-being and right-living will be in good standing with God. We need heart-hunger and thirst for God Himself—the desire to have a vital relationship with the One who loves us and cares for us.”

Central Truth