KACS Radio Network

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).

Have you ever seen anyone really hungry? In some parts of this earth such people may be seen every day. Millions of them have been hungry all their lives and are hungry at this very moment. Hollow-eyed, they hold out their hands in earnest appeal for something to eat.

We must continually eat and drink, or die. Too much hunger or too much thirst is a terrible thing, but a certain amount is good. God created man and the animals with hunger as part of their nature, and a wise provision it was too. Without the urge of hunger, food would not be taken, and death by starvation would ensue. Even intelligent man would soon vanish from the earth. He eats what he likes and because he is hungry. And so by nature he eats, in general, that which sustains life. By and large, hunger and thirst are good. They drive men to eat and drink, and so to live.

But notice our promise text: "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Here is a real blessing, a spiritual blessing. Without a spiritual hunger and thirst no one will ever be filled. It is blessed to have this divine hunger. Jesus said, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44). Then, speaking of this God-implanted thirst for God and righteousness, He continues, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37).

What does this promise mean to you, to me? The real question is, Are we hungry? Are we thirsty? If we are, we shall be filled.

• Are you hungry?—Come and eat,

• The Bread of Heaven see;

• Are you thirsty?—Come and drink,

• The Word of God is free.

MEDITATION PRAYER: "Oh that men would praise the Lord. . . . For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalms 107:8, 9).