Thirsting
Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).
It is normal to eat when we are hungry and drink when we are thirsty, but how hungry and thirsty are we after righteousness? Let’s be honest here: There are some Christians we know who definitely are not fully satisfied. Our text reveals that it is possible of for our inner thirst to be filled with the righteousness of God. Righteousness is being right with God through Jesus Christ.
There are many Christians who claim to want a close relationship with the Lord but fail to take the time to strengthen their relationship to Him. As a result, they are spiritually malnourished. Without a close relationship to the Lord, we often find ourselves seeking other things to satisfy a deep need within our souls, that which can only be met in fellowship with Him. Some truly believe that satisfaction will come through the acquisition of possessions – homes, clothes, cars, boats, bank accounts, talent, family and honors. Things can only give us a temporal satisfaction. Hollywood is a great example of this with their stars constantly changing to greater treasures, many changing to new partners – many multiple marriages.
The Apostle Paul may have had everything this life had to offer before he was saved. He wrote, Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of ALL THINGS, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:8). Only in turning to Christ will our hunger and thirst in life be fully satisfied.
If you have wandered in the desert for a day or two without water, you will quickly learn how desperate is your thirst. That is how the psalmist thirsted after God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God (Psalm 42:2). O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is (Psalm 63:1). Notice the words “my God.” This speaks of an intimate, personal relationship. If we have nothing left in this world but God, we would discover that He is enough! The psalmist longed or craved, painstakingly to continue this intimate relationship. How intimate is your relationship with God today?
We so often become cold or indifferent about our relationship with God, even taking it for granted without daily longing for that kind of intimacy with Him. Notice the promise Jesus made that is applicable for all who are in Christ. Those who have this kind of thirst after Christ find themselves forever quenched. Jesus said, And he that believeth on Me shall never thirst (John 6:35).
In John 7:37, Jesus said, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. God’s Word invites us to come and quench our spiritual thirst. Jesus alone is the only oasis for those who are truly spiritually thirsty. If we are filled, we become a testimony before the lost world around us. Our message must be, O taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).
George Stiekes serves as a Lay Pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC. See here for a more complete bio of brother Stiekes extensive ministry. We republish his material by permission.
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash