A weekday morning devotional series written by Aaron Marcarelli and hosted by Chad McBeam
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”
Matthew 5:6-7 NASB2020
In verse 6 Jesus is using the words hungry and thirsty in two ways. He is using the word in a physical way. Most of the people following Jesus were poor and were barely able to eat and they were actually physically hungry and thirsty. Most of us, live in the western world, and are from middle class families and unless we have served in the military, have done endurance races, have gone to 3rd world countries on mission trips or have gone on a legitimate fast, we truly do not know what it is like to hunger and thirst. Even those experiences some of us have had, we knew they were only temporary. However, For the poor and destitute who are hungry and thirsty they don’t know where their next meal is coming from, all they want is that next meal and therefore they will do whatever it takes to get that next meal. Conversely, If we finished the tour, the race, the trip, the fast we knew we would have food and drink at the end. Both the rich and the poor should draw on the experience of the other. We who are well off can learn from the hungry and thirsty; we should do whatever it takes to gain the knowledge of God no matter the cost. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”
Matthew 6:33. “And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”
Matthew 22:37 NASB
The poor can learn from those who are well off because most of the time we don’t worry about what we will eat and we know our hunger or thirst are only temporary. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34 NASB2020
If we hunger and thirst for His word then we can do as Jesus says in verse 7 we can show mercy, grace and forgiveness to others and therefore, be better and more consistent followers of Christ.
Lord we thank you for telling us how best to follow you. Help us to hunger and thirst for your word. Help us to learn from our study of your word. Help us through the power of your Holy Spirit to be true followers of You and your perfect and pleasing will! In Jesus Name Amen!
Shalom Blessings and Press In and Press On!