“Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!” – Matthew 5:6 (AMPC)
Jesus, while teaching His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6:9ff, said, “Your (God’s) Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is a prayer that many believers recite so well but not many have taken the time to think about what the words in this prayer mean. No matter what happens on earth, God’s will reigns supreme above every situation and this must be the desire of every believer in Christ.
To seek the will of God and to do it is to be in right standing with God which is the simple definition of RIGHTEOUSNESS. Many Christians think righteousness to be a big word that needs a lot of dictionaries to define but it is not if we pay attention to the teachings of Jesus as His Disciples. To reiterate, never be so engrossed with activities that you forget to always be a disciple of Christ, that is, one who learns of Christ.
In the fourth statement of the Beatitude, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” This is Jesus speaking to everyone who actively seeks to live and do righteously without compromising their stand in and with God.
There is a satisfaction that comes into our souls when we do the will of God accurately. God wants us to be in alignment with Him at all times such that, even in many simple matters, we choose to stand with God. Being in thirst and hunger for righteousness implies that we choose not to be at rest until we have accomplished the desires of God.
What does being in right standing with God do for believers? It brings spiritual prosperity to us and we remain alive in God and actively in His will. Many people are living in confusion today because they neither want to depend on God’s will nor do it. The complete satisfaction of the believer comes from being righteous.
Remember what Jesus said in John.4.34, “…My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.” Let this be your desire now and always for this is a way to remain an active follower of Christ.
Practical Application: Spend 20 minutes today to know and understand God’s will for you on a particular matter of your life and seek His strength to do it.
Confession: I live a righteous life daily for I yield my life to God. I desire His will and seek to do it always. I stand for, in and with God without compromise.
Related Scriptures: Psalm 1:1-3, 1 Timothy 6:11
Bible Reading: Psalm 1, John 4
