Hunger and Thirst

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 (Amplified Bible)

I have recently learned that to be "blessed" means to be "happy." I never fully realized this before. You sometimes hear someone say "Well, God's not really concerned about us being happy, He just wants us to do His will." Have you ever heard something like that? I have. And I pondered this often, and somewhat bought into this until I realized what it truly meant to be blessed. It is to be happy.

Hunger and thirst. That combination doesn't make me want to run and get on the "Happy Train." Does it you? Yet, Jesus said that we would be happy if we were hungry and thirsty. But, hungry and thirsty for what? Physical food? The obvious answer is no. Our happiness comes from a hunger and a thirst for spiritual food; more specifically, for "righteousness."

Do you hunger and thirst for God and His righteousness? Do you yearn to live a holy life and to be always in right standing before the Father? Or, do you hunger and thirst for something else instead, like recognition in your workplace among your peers, a mate who would be your all-in-all, or the latest fashion accessories or home decor? Do you hunger and thirst to be continually entertained by those around you, by the media, or even by the church? Do you hunger and thirst for wealth, security, or prestige among men?

If we hunger and thirst for anything other than what was prescribed by our Lord Jesus, we will continually be in starvation mode. Nothing will fill our plates. Nothing will satisfy our palate. Nothing will soothe the gnawing ache within our stomachs. Only His righteousness can truly make us happy. Only living for His purposes, His will, and by His standards and commands will we be truly happy inside.

So, are you hungry? Are you thirsty now? Cry out for His living water! He is the Bread of Life! He will feed you with a feast that will fill you to overflowing. Ask the Lord to give you a holy hunger for His Word, the Bible. Ask Him to give you the grace to thirst for the things of God! He will do it! He is faithful. Be hungry and thirsty every day for more of the food from heaven, and He will abundantly provide. It is His promise to those who seek Him.

Go, eat and drink of Jesus, Yeshua, and be filled with happiness.