When Jesus looked across the crowd that had gathered to hear him introduce "the kingdom of God" that was near, he blessed those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness. (Matthew 5:6) And, he promised those folks would be satisfied.
In my analogy of spiritual growth in my book, A New Way of Living, this Beatitude is the summit of our spiritual climb to be like Jesus.
Climbing the summit of God's mighty presence is a journey that begins by exposing our tremendous lack of personal resources. And like on a physical climb, when our resources run out, we begin to hunger and thirst. The difference is that in tackling a mountain of spiritual growth, what we hunger and thirst for is refreshment only God can give our craving souls. (130)
Righteousness is a characteristic of God (Psalm 48:10). It describes our standing before God in Christ Jesus (Romans 5:1-2). Righteousness is also how we live our lives toward God and others (James 2:23-25). We hunger and thirst spiritually for these things.
The problem with both our physical and spiritual hunger and thirst is that we seek to satisfy those drives with unhealthy things. Just as I eat chips instead of fruit, cookies instead of vegetables, and ice cream instead of toast when I am hungry sometimes, I fill empty hours watching television or Googling nonsense rather than reading the Bible or watching messages or videos about my relationship with God.
With what do you satisfy your hunger and thirst?
Only the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and the Living Water (John 4:13-14) can ultimately satisfy the desires of our hearts.
Jesus promised that when we turn to him and his way of living to satisfy the spiritual hunger in our hearts, we will be satisfied--satisfied like after an American Thanksgiving dinner!
You will get hungry and thirsty both spiritually and physically today. Prepare now to fill those desires with the healthy provisions God has provided for you in his good creation and in a relationship with him.