Fourth Beatitude

" Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled " ( Matthew 5:6 ). The words translated as hunger and thirst here are related to words that describe someone dying of starvation, and one in danger of death through dehydration. This likens to David's outcry, in Psalm 42. " As The deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God, my soul thirst for you my God . Many today like those on the hill listening to Jesus's message desire to tap into Jesus's power for personal needs like healing, prosperity, more wisdom. But Jesus knew that the only thing that would truly satisfy their souls, and ours, is the righteousness of God. Jesus is God's righteousness ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ). He came to earth as the bread that gives life to the world, and those who partake in his living water will never thirst again. When we seek God's kingdom and righteousness first He promises to take care of all our other needs ( Matthew 6:33 ). This beatitude is about an appetite for righteousness. Here Jesus states that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed meaning They have a good thing. Why? Because they will be satisfied .There are two possible meanings for the word righteousness as used in this verse. First, Jesus could be talking about people who are eager to be declared righteous by God. They want to be made righteous and to conform to the will of God. In that way they are sincerely seeking to be saved. Those who come to trust in Jesus, for their forgiveness from sin, will receive exactly that from God. ( Romans 5:17 ). They will be saved. Another view is that Jesus has in mind, those who are hungry to see righteousness win. They long for justice to prevail. They want what is right to overcome what is wrong and evil in the world. These people too will be satisfied because the kingdom of heaven will bring an end to all unrighteousness. Their appetite for righteousness will be completely satisfied. Spiritual hunger: Consider how our spiritual hunger can be satisfied by experiencing God's presence, and striving to live in accordance with His will. Righteousness: Consider what Jesus means by righteousness, and how it relates to being right and doing right. Spiritual health: Consider how our hunger determines our spiritual health, and how righteousness can lead to satisfaction. Seeking God: Consider how acknowledging our sin and weakness can lead us to ask God for righteousness. The beatitudes offer solid truth for living as a disciple of Christ. While each beatitude can stand on its own they aren't merely a collection of unrelated statements. They are linked in an unbroken chain each one building on the previous truth. The first several beatitude's deal with the condition of the heart, the second set pertains to our relationship with the Lord and the final grouping treat our relationships with others . Jesus always begins with the heart when he pronounced a blessing on those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. He touched On the inner state of our hearts. Those who thirst for righteousness receive the water Jesus offered to the woman at the well: " But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life " (John 4:14 ). The term filled or satisfied in the beatitude means that the pangs of hunger and thirst will disappear. The verb is passive, indicating that God Himself will fulfill our intense desire for right relationship with Him. Salvation is His gift. We can't earn it. ( Ephesians 2:8 ). In summary blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled could be paraphrased as follows deeply joyful and spiritually whole are those who actively seek right relationship with God, and in so doing discover that he alone can completely save and satisfy their souls. There are so many truths, and so much wisdom to be gained from Matthew chapter 5 and the beatitudes. I hope and pray that you will go to the beatitudes and seek out just what God has for you in this chapter. It will bring you a much better understanding of how to abide in Christ, And to live a life that is pleasing in the sight of God. My friends, I will pray that all wisdom and knowledge of God will come to you as you seek Him. I will always remember you in my prayers and until next time I love you all, and may God bless you and keep you safe.