“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matt 5:6
In the Gospel of Luke, we are given a glimpse of the extraordinary spiritual hunger of Jesus, even as a young child. At the age of 12, He stayed behind in the temple, absorbed in the teachings of the Scriptures and engaging in discussions with the religious leaders. His hunger for the things of God was so profound that it kept Him in His Father’s house, pursuing divine wisdom and understanding with a relentless zeal.
This hunger for righteousness is something that God desires to see in all of us. It is not a mere passing interest, but a deep, abiding thirst for His presence and His truth. Jesus Himself declared that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. This promise holds true for anyone who earnestly seeks after the things of God.
Cultivating such a hunger requires intentionality and perseverance. It is not always natural to crave spiritual things, especially in a world full of distractions and temptations. But we must commit ourselves to the pursuit of God, knowing that only He can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls.
To hunger for righteousness means to prioritise the things of God above all else. It means devouring His Word, spending time in prayer, and seeking His will with all our hearts. This kind of hunger pushes us to grow spiritually, to move from one level of intimacy with God to the next.
We must remember that true spiritual hunger is not passive but active. It drives us to seek God with all our might, refusing to settle for anything less than His fullness. Just as Jesus demonstrated His hunger for the Father’s business at the temple, we too must be about our Father’s business, seeking His kingdom and His righteousness with fervour and dedication.
God promises to fill those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. But this filling is reserved for those who truly hunger—those who prove by their actions and their prayers that they will not be satisfied with anything less than more of Him. As we pursue this hunger, God will meet us, fill us, and draw us ever closer to His heart.
Let us develop this hunger today, knowing that as we seek after God with all our hearts, we will find Him. Let us be relentless in our pursuit of His righteousness, confident that He will satisfy our every need. May our hunger for God grow deeper with each passing day, and may we never be content until we are filled with all the fullness of God. Amen.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk