Beatitude definition:
a statement of blessing.
The fourth on the list of JESUS’ eight beatitudes in Matthew 5 states, Blessed are those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness, for they shall be (filled) satisfied Matthew 5:6
Why hunger and thirst?
In every human being there is a restlessness and longing that
religious writers and teachers refer to as a “GOD-like vacuum.” It is GOD
Himself who has put eternity into man’s
heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11) which,
Theologian and Scientist Blaise Pasquale
(1623-1662) describes this way:
"What else does
this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a
true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace?
This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things
that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can
help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and
immutable object; in other words by God himself"
We try to satisfy this “hunger” by our achievements,
relationships, status, riches, recreational drugs, etc. but no matter how hard
we strive, we are never quite fulfilled, or satisfied – until we find GOD, our
Creator and His righteousness.
“Thou madest us for
Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it rest in Thee.” (St. Augustine)
Of human righteousness
The word righteous or righteousness appears approximately
600 times in the Bible. The Old Testament Hebrew word for “righteous” is tsaddiy which means just, lawful, and
correct, and the New Testament Greek dikaios
means observing divine laws or upright, faultless, innocent, and
guiltless. These are all descriptive of GOD Himself; righteousness is one
of GOD’s attributes. GOD, by His very nature is righteous – all that He is, does
and says is right and perfect.
Unlike GOD, whose righteousness is inherent and constant, we
fallen human beings are not inherently righteous. "No one is righteous--not even one.” Romans 3:10 How than can we be righteous and obtain the
blessedness JESUS promises? The answer is through CHRIST – this righteousness is
GOD’s own righteousness purchased for us by faith in HIS SON, CHRIST JESUS
- …the righteousness which is from God by faith…Philippians 3:9.
- For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
- But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, Romans 4:5
- …through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19
JESUS is saying that instead of seeking after and yearning for
earthly goods which never satisfies, we ought to yearn after the righteousness
that already belongs to children of GOD.
“Therefore do not
worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we
wear?’ ….seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you.” Matthew
6: 32-33
Blessing of righteousness
Barnes’ Notes on the
Bible says this about the
blessing promised to those who seek after righteousness: Never
was there a desire to be holy which God was not willing to gratify, and the
gospel of CHRIST has made provision to satisfy all who truly desire to be holy.
When our thirst and hunger for GOD’s righteousness becomes
as intense and focused as the deer mentioned in Psalm 42:1, “As the deer pants
for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” GOD’s response
will be what He promised, a deep and abiding satisfaction that will last for all eternity.
In consequence of this filling and satisfaction, we have good
things to last forever: …the effect of
righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and
trust forever. Isaiah 32:17
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Holy Father, our LORD and our GOD
whose mercy never runs out and whose love is unfathomable, we thank you for our
righteousness through CHRIST JESUS. Your WORD tells us that the righteous are never forsaken nor does our
children go begging for bread. YOUR
promise to not withhold goodness from those who live righteously is forever yes
and amen, and we are glad of it. Father, without YOU our human heart is restless
but with YOU, we have peace in our souls and a quiet within us that the world does
not know. Thank you for reminding us that material possession can never give us
what YOU have – a good and faithful GOD and Father to be with us for all
eternity. To YOU, be dominion and power for ever and ever. We ask all things in
JESUS’ Holy NAME. Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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