Hunger and Thirst...

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6)


Did you know that the human body often confuses thirst for hunger? As a result we sometimes eat when we should be drinking. Our bodies are made up of 70% water and it is necessary for us to drink frequently to remain healthy and living. We certainly know all about hunger and being filled. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, most folks put on lots of extra pounds. In fact, the very word ‘filled’ found here in Matthew 5:6 means...to be satisfied in the sense of being stuffed after a sumptuous meal. There are times when we get really hungry...most noticeably when we are young and growing and our bodies demand food and between meal snacks. When we go without eating, we end up with headaches and a sense of gnawing in our stomachs. Yes, we know all about physical hunger and thirst, but how much do we really know about being spiritually hungry and thirsty?

Jesus drew the attention of the woman at the well when He offered her a drink of living water that would so satisfy that she would never thirst again.  The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” (John 4:15) She was apparently weary of coming to that well every single day, pulling up containers of water and then carrying them home on her aching shoulders or head. We know that Jesus was speaking of Himself as the ‘living water’. He was referring to a spiritual thirst that is in every person. It is as demanding on our spiritual man as natural thirst is on our physical beings. Just as Jesus taught the Samaritan woman at the well about water, He also taught His disciples about food. They had gone to town to get some food and they encouraged Jesus to eat some of it. “But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” (John 4:32) then He went on to teach them what spiritual food is all about… “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. (John 4:34) Walking in obedience to God, doing His will and accomplishing the assignment was an important part of spiritual hunger being satisfied. That’s what righteousness is all about—not doing what we want, doing it our way, whenever we want to do it—but rather seeking to do His will, His way! So often we think of righteous living as just being holy, and not sinning. But true righteousness is walking in daily obedience to God and His will and plan for our lives. If we are trying to live on the spiritual junk food of entertainment, busyness, and good deeds, trying to make ourselves look good, trying to fill the void in the human heart with activities in which God did not ask us to partake—we are dying a little each day as we begin to spiritually starve to death. What we need to ask ourselves is—”What does God want me to do for Him today?” We need to spend time in prayer, spend time in His Word, carefully listening to His voice speaking into our hungry souls. There He will give us just what we need—direction for life. Our part is to trust and obey. It’s just like the old hymn that tells us:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

There are some people who are hungry but don’t know it. If they are ill, hunger sometimes fades into a distant memory. Some have to be placed on artificial feeding tubes to maintain their health. Those who do not know God are much like this in their spiritual lives. They are hungry for God, but don’t know it. They try to fill the hunger gnawing at them by filling their lives with the many seductions of this world, only to discover like the woman at the well—they just do not satisfy. They are hungry and thirsty, but in their lost condition, they don’t know what they are thirsty or hungry for.

We all know the old saying “You are what you eat.” In America, we just have to look around at any average crowd of people and we can see those who have overindulged on things that do not satisfy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that American men eat 7 percent more calories than they did in 1971; American women eat a whopping 18 percent more—an additional 335 calories a day! Our lives have become more sedentary, and our diets have been modified with fillers, chemicals and modified forms of sugar to make it all ‘taste good’. We may not be hungry physically, but we are not healthy either. Our spiritual lives are in much the same condition. When we feast on selfish indulgences in the church rather than fast, pray, and read the Word, our spiritual lives get out of balance. It’s time for a return back to the basics, both in our physical diets, (eating fruits, vegetables and lean meats) and in our spiritual diets (feasting on the milk and meat of the Word of God.) Anything else will bring disease and death.

Our main meal should be centered on the Bread of Life. Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty...Jesus taught us in John 6:35. It is our desire to eat and be satisfied, but what we eat is the key. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray he prayed... Give us each day our daily bread. (Luke 11:3) We usually think of this as getting enough food for our daily physical needs. I believe Jesus was talking about much more—our spiritual bread. We need our spiritual man fed daily with the Bread of Life. Jesus goes on in this same chapter of Luke 11 to describe a man who comes to the house of his friend at midnight asking for 3 loaves of bread. He persists until the man gives it to him. Then he draws an analogy with God—who gives to us the Holy Spirit—”If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13 We need to be persistently asking and seeking God for more of Himself, more of the Spirit...and yielding more of who we are to His control. God wants to satisfy our spiritual needs, and He has provided all that is required—the living water of Jesus, the Bread of Life and the Holy Spirit. All we need to do is ask!

What are you asking God for today? Too often we get caught up into the ways of the greedy world around us. We crave the best car, the nicest home, the biggest pile of gifts under the Christmas tree and when we don’t get what we want, we go buy it and charge it on our the credit card. America is swimming in debt. It is trying to fill its emptiness with “stuff.” Our closets and garages are overflowing. Goodwill stores are stuffed to the rafters. We “feel good” when we shop and bring home just one more bag full of goodies. It’s time to stop! It’s time to feast once again at His table. There He will satisfy the soul, fill our spirits with Himself, and make us into the righteous men and women of God He wants and longs for us to be. Look once again at the verse we started out with: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6) Here it is again in the Amplified Bible: 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! I don’t know about you, but I want that. I want to so hunger and thirst after God, thirst for His righteousness, that God comes through—completely satisfying my needs. This prosperity is a spiritual prosperity. I am rich when I rest under His blessing, and when I am in right standing with God. When that happens, everything else just falls into place.

Are you seeking happiness? Find it in God and His forgiveness and righteousness. Are you empty? Nothing but God can fill the empty place in your life! Where are you looking to satisfy your deepest desires and longings? Just look at your checkbook or bank statement and see where you have been spending your time and money. Our values reflect our diets. We do what we love. Do we love Him more? He sacrificed Himself for us, but are we willing to sacrifice for Him? Parents, the things you value are being taught to your children. Do you value spending time worshipping God at His house? Or do you sleep in, telling yourself, we’ll go next week or next month—and the years slip on by. Soon the kids are teenagers and have no interest in God or church. Your values have become their values. You feel it is important to give a good tip at a restaurant for good service—but in church, well, God does not need my tithes… And so the blessings fail to flow—for Jesus taught—”Give and it shall be given…”

Do you want blessings to flow in this New Year? Blessings come to those who hunger and thirst after God and His righteousness. Nothing less will do! Take some time to go pray at your church. Your pastor might go into shock, and it might just spark a revival! Spend time praying with your wife and your children. Make prayer an important part of your daily life. Let them learn that when there are needs, we must go to God. God is the One who hears and answers prayer. If there are no prayer meetings at your church, start one! Men, if you want to be the priest and spiritual leader in your home, take the lead and lead your family in prayer. Anything worth doing is work and it will take determination and consistency. The reward is in the blessings that follow...your hunger and thirst will be satisfied and you will be filled to overflowing in righteousness.

J. Johnson

Blessed and Highly Favored!

As the world around us spins down into more and more of a self-centered way of thinking about life, it becomes more and more of a struggle for the believer to keep a Biblical focus on eternity. Many are tempted to fall in line with the practices of those around them. Instead of holding a high standard, established for the believer in the Word of God, they lower themselves into sin and worldly standards. They loose sight of their purpose and significance in this world. Yet God has designed a special purpose for every one of His children, and you are no exception. Each person chooses how they respond to life’s challenges. While some see a glass of water as nearly empty...others see it as half full.
A story is told of a shoe salesman who was sent to the West Indies to a small island. When he arrived he noticed that all the natives were barefoot. Discouraged that no one wore shoes here, he came home with no sales. Another salesman was sent to the same place. He too noticed the barefoot natives. He sent an emergency telegraph home…: "Send lots of shoes...all sizes...as everyone here needs shoes!” Our perspective on life can determine our influence on others and how we impact the world for Christ.

God needs to change our perspective!

When we see life from His point of view, everything changes. When we see grumbling sinners, He sees lost children who need a Savior. When we see crime, violence and abuse….He sees victims of Satan’s curse. When we see life’s inconveniences, He sees life’s opportunities. We sometimes need an ‘eye transplant.’ We need to see the world around us with His eyes.
The world continues to spiral down into the valley of despair. The more they try to turn it all around with education, money, and programs to meet desperate needs, the bigger and more hopeless the problems seem to become. As we look at the political world, we see wars, destruction, corruption, and promises of hope with no real lasting solutions. When we look at the religious world, we see spiritual leaders grasping for ways to change the world. When we look at the material world, we see people trying to fill the emptiness inside with ’stuff’ on the outside...homes, cars, furniture, jewelry, and the best that money can buy. Yet we soon discover that all the ’stuff’ just gives us more to care for without satisfying the inner need for lasting happiness.

I have found the lasting solution to all of these dilemmas.

I discovered that all my hopes and dreams could find fulfillment and satisfaction when placed in eternal values...in Jesus Christ. He provides me with purpose and significance. He gives me faith and hope for life now and in eternity. He resets my values from ‘stuff’ to Himself. I learned to value Him more than ‘stuff’. In Him is every political solution, every educational answer, and a way out of every dilemma.

How do we get to that point of view?

The first step is to recognize the need for change. The Bible tells me that in myself there is nothing good found. That is because I am a sinner, in need of a solution to my problem—sin. Jesus came as the solution! The moment I realize I need more than I have, and that Jesus has what I need—this is the first step. Then I can call on Him to meet my need and be my solution. The world in sin is bound by a curse. That curse came in the Garden of Eden when mankind fell into Satan’s snare. From that day onward, man became needy. He continued to live, but the spirit within him died. By faith, all the Old Testament people looked forward to the day when Christ, the Messiah, would come and restore life to the spirit of man. Jesus fills the void within. Man struggles on his own to fill that void with carnal pleasures, material goods, entertainment, drugs and alcohol, but nothing satisfies. Nothing lasts. Earth’s solutions are just temporary. But Jesus provided a lasting solution that goes beyond life into eternity. He came to provide Life...eternal Life! The Life He gives fills the emptiness and overflows into joy and happiness and satisfaction and a new sense of values with an eternal purpose. While the world feels cursed and inferior, I feel blessed and highly favored. He lifts my vision beyond what I can see with the natural eye to see with eternal eyes. I no longer see the pain and suffering around me as a dilemma, but as an opportunity for God to display His glory and power. He is the God who loves to change lives, and circumstances, heal sick bodies, and deliver from bondages of depression and destructive habits. If you have been abused….He brings peace and forgiveness and healing. If you were the abuser, He changes the heart, the mind and the life. He forgives you even when you cannot forgive yourself. We may still suffer some of the results of the scars from the past. They serve to remind us not to go back and do that again! I may never have all the wealth of the world in my bank account….but I have the wealth of the One who created the world in my heart and for all eternity. I may not know all the answers to life’s questions, but I know the One who has all the answers, all the solutions, who has all knowledge, all power, all truth. He is no longer a distant acquaintance, but an intimate friend. When life comes crashing down around me, I know with confidence I can turn to Him and find comfort, peace, confidence and healing. He promised his followers that He would never leave them nor forsake them. Yes, I am blessed and highly favored.
Believer, next time someone asks you how you are doing… don’t just say the politically correct phrase…. “I’m fine thanks.” Tell them “I’m blessed and highly favored!”...and see what kind of response you get! Be ready to tell them why you are so blessed...and the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at that moment. Tell them they can be blessed and highly favored too.

We need a new radical abandonment to Jesus Christ.

Believers need to become Spirit-dependent, Christ-centered, spiritually dynamic, mutually-ministering to each other and the world around them. You may sometimes feel like you are totally insignificant, but in the eyes of God, each tiny mustard seed in His kingdom has potential to grow and change the world around it.

What kind of blessings can we expect from God?

We can expect the kind of blessings that are lasting and eternal. There is no great blessing in filling up your bank book. But there is great blessing in filling heaven with souls won to Jesus. Jesus told Peter He would make him a fisher of men. He never promised him big earthly rewards. No... He told him that those who would be the greatest in heaven needed to be the servants of all. God’s viewpoint of blessing is so very different from man’s viewpoint. I want His blessings in my life. Do you? I cannot take my retirement funds with me to heaven, but I can take people. It’s funny how when it comes right down to what we really value in life… we hear it only at funerals. We don’t talk about what the person possessed, but about who they were and the impact that they had on our lives.

I am blessed and highly favored!

I know the One who has pulled my feet from the pit of sin, who has given me a hope and a future, who has provided me with significance and purpose. His name is Jesus. He is the Rock of my salvation, the Door of protection, the Shepherd who takes care of me, the Bread that feeds me when I am hungry, the Lamp for my feet and the Light on my pathway. He is the King who made me part of his family. He is the Priest who made a way for me to enter into the most holy place. He is the Way when there seems to be no way, and the Truth when all around me is confusion and chaos. He is Life when my body feels more dead than alive. He is the Cornerstone and chief Architect of my building. He is the Bright Morning Star that shines in the darkest night. He is the Lily of the Valley and the Rose of Sharon who fills this stagnant world with the aroma of His loveliness. He is the Living Water that satisfies. He is the Vine that helps me grow and produce good fruit. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending of all I am and ever hope to be. Yes, I am blessed and highly favored. There is nothing that He and I together cannot face.
But who is He to you? He can be all of those things and more in your life if you invite Him into your heart and let Him take control of it all. Then you too will be blessed and highly favored.
J. Johnson