Weekly Word (Blessed Hunger)(VIDEO )

[Jesus_is_LORD]

WORD OF THE DAY (— Matthew 5:6 )
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. "



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Welcome,

This week we continue our series on the part of the Sermon on the Mount called the be-attitudes.
In the be-attitudes, Jesus draws a stark contrast between what the people believed holy living and
genuine happiness to be, with what it really was. Last week we looked at the blessed inheritance of the
meek; this week, we look at the 4th be-attitude, which relates to one area in which God promises satisfaction.

What does it mean to hunger and thirst after something? The imagery of being hungry and thirsty is a vivid picture
painted by Jesus to point to our soul's deepest longings. We should first realize that hunger and thirst are signs of life.
Plants thirst for water to grow, the cells in our body hunger for oxygen to live, and every living creature hungers for
food and thirst for water. Hunger and thirst are signs of life. When a person is sick, they may often lose their appetite
and their desire to eat; however, as they start getting well and feeling more alive, their appetite returns as they feel healthier.

Many may wonder why they do not have such a pang of hunger or deep thirst for righteousness. First, we should understand
that this desire for righteousness that Jesus speaks of is not a desire that comes from the flesh, also known as our sin nature.
This desire for righteousness can only come from the Holy Spirit of God. Therefore, only after one has been born again
with the Holy Spirit's new life living in them can there be a genuine desire after the things of God. When the Holy Spirit dwells
in us, it will desire to grow and thus hunger and thirst for the nourishment of righteousness which gives life. Jesus tells us that
this pursuit of righteousness is one pursuit He promises will be filled. Unfortunately, in the world, we pursue
all manner of things which will not give us the ultimate satisfaction we desire. Though the pleasure of sin may last
for a season, spiritual consequences always follow, and the fulfillment that was sought is never reached.

Pastor Colin Smith of Orchard church states that Christians often get this be-attitude backwards, thinking that the pursuit
of blessing brings righteousness when, in fact, it is the pursuit of righteousness, which brings blessings. To be righteous means
to be in a right relationship and standing before God. This righteousness is the righteousness that can only be found in Christ Jesus
for only He has the power to bring us into a right relationship with God. Our good works, efforts, and all the world religions will not
make us righteous. Our righteousness is by God's Grace alone, through faith alone, and in Jesus Christ alone. As you pursue Jesus,
your flesh and sin nature will be starving on the outside, but on the inside, your spirit and the new nature of your soul will be feasting.
For blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.


Thought for the week:
Next week we examine the 5th be-attitude: Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.


Prayer for the week (A.W. Tozer)

“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious
of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled
with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed.
Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.’ Then give me grace
to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long." In Jesus name we pray, Amen.



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