Get Hungry Or You'll Starve

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness(Matthew 5:6): for they shall be filled. Hunger can be defined as a great need or desire for something. God is moved to action by those with deep hunger or desire for Him. A desire for righteousness really is nothing less than a desire for God.

Hunger is the currency of heaven. It is what God rewards. Hunger is an all consuming thing; we don’t stop thinking about food until we satisfy the craving. All of our energy, attention, and efforts are upon satisfying that desire. As our body depends upon food for its strength, health, and nourishment, so does our soul depend upon God for its sustenance. Hunger will drive a person to desperation; an honest man may steal to fill the void.

When our hearts are awakened to an awareness of its condition, and begins to hunger and thirst after righteousness and holiness which is its proper food, we know that it must be filled by Jesus who said He was the bread of life.

What is this righteousness of which Jesus speaks? We know that it is more than that of the Pharisees. Being filled is a promise that the hungry will be rewarded for their attention to the urgency. It is urgent that we begin to hunger for holiness. Holiness used to be an “evil” word in my vocabulary it was the twin to “legalism” and I was sure that grace covered both of these; however, God is opening righteousness or holiness to me. He is saying holiness is something I value. It means something to me when you choose to live differently. It’s so important to Heaven that you live differently; that my Father and I reward it handsomely.

When I eat a physical meal, I seldom consider the cost, and say oh, let me eat beans instead because they are cheaper. But spiritually, we often count the cost of satisfying hunger and try to go the cheap route. Jesus is saying develop a ravenous appetite for holiness and don’t concern yourself over the cost. He promises those that hunger and thirst for righteousness are going to a wedding feast.—Get hunger or you’ll starve!