«Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled» (Matthew 5:6, NIV).
Although I’ve been thirsty several times, I’m thankful I’ve never had to go hungry. Maybe that’s not your case and you’ve experienced both sensations. They’re both answers to a basic need and, when they’re not satisfied, our bodies can make us feel certain desperation, in addition to pain and other symptoms.
But have you ever wondered if you’ve longed for justice as much as you’ve longed for food or water?
Maybe you don’t have a personality that «demands justice, » but it’s enough to just refer to the history of our countries to know there were many people who were willing to give their lives for justice to be done in certain cases.
On the other hand, in many countries there are people who die of hunger and thirst precisely because their governments are very corrupt or because, being selfish humans, we don’t contribute so everyone will have equal opportunities.
The concept of righteousness isn’t very easy to define, or at least it has several branches that can be quite subjective.
However, in the Bible we see that righteousness is personified in Christ and everyone who receives Him, also receives righteousness according to their needs.
Hungering and thirsting for God has deeper consequences than being hungry for bread or thirsty for actual water. It’s harder to satisfy, and at the same time it’s fully satisfied once we seek God.
«The heart that has once tasted the love of Christ, cries out continually for a deeper draft, and as you impart you will receive in richer and more abundant measure. Every revelation of God to the soul increases the capacity to know and to love» (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, ch. 2, p. 20).
What injustice do you see around you today?
God wants to give us much more than we ask for. Just as all the fullness dwells in Him, He wants us to be able to be full and receive more to also give more.
How can you show a more desperate need that will lead you to seek God more fervently?
Ask God to open your eyes to see the need, intercede in a specific way in prayer and act once He has filled you. And if you don’t feel them, ask Him for hunger and thirst.
