20/08/2026
Experiencing God Day By Day
August 21
Hunger and Thirst
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Matthew 5:6
Hunger and thirst are the body's way of telling us that
we are “empty.” Our natural response to physical hunger
and thirst is to seek food and water to satisfy our need.
Each Christian has an inner longing that only Christ's
righteousness can satisfy. But we cannot be filled with
righteousness if we are filled with self. Throughout the
Scriptures God emphasizes that the one who longs for Him
with all his heart will find Him (Jer. 29:13). As we crave
righteousness, we will repent of our sin, and God will
remove it from us. Our selfishness will be replaced by the
fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol (Gal. 5:22–23). The Spirit will make us to be like
Christ.
Righteousness is not to be taken lightly, nor is it easily
attained. Holy God does not give His righteousness to
people indiscriminately. He gives it to those who know they
cannot live without it. Our desire for personal
righteousness must be powerful, all-consuming,
dominating everything we do. Pursuing righteousness
means that we value the opinion of God far more than we
treasure the opinions of people.
Righteousness is not merely an absence of sin. It is
allowing God to fill us with His holiness (Rom. 6:11). It is
being like Christ. Jesus is our model of One who sought
God's righteousness first, and then the Father glorified
Him. We are not only to seek the kingdom of God, but we
are also to pursue His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). If we
will hunger and thirst for righteousness, we will be
satisfied!