Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Your deepest hunger isn't for food. Jesus spoke of a different kind of hunger that lives in all of us. He knew we crave more than our next meal. We long for things to be right. We want to be right with God. We want to live right lives. We want the world to be set right.

Hunger and thirst are not polite feelings. They're not gentle nudges or slight wishes. They're deep, driving needs that won't be ignored. When you're truly hungry, you don't just hope for food—you hunt for it. When you're dying of thirst, finding water becomes your only goal. Jesus says this is how we should want righteousness.

Most of us settle for spiritual snacks instead of the feast. We nibble on quick prayers. We sip shallow truths. We rarely feel that deep, gut-level hunger for God's ways. Think about how you feel when you skip meals all day. That growling, empty ache is what Jesus says we should feel for righteousness. Not just once in a while, but as our normal state.

Real hunger for righteousness changes how you spend your time. You'll make time to read God's Word because you need it, not because you should. You'll pray because your soul feels dry without it. You'll seek justice because the world's wrongs truly bother you. You'll turn from sin because it no longer satisfies your deepest cravings.

When did you last feel truly hungry for God? Have you ever skipped a meal because you were too busy seeking Him? What would change if you wanted to do right as much as you want to breathe? How might your choices shift if your hunger for God outweighed your hunger for comfort, for praise, for control, or for success?

Godseekers, let your spiritual appetite grow wild. On May 20, 1747, British doctor James Lind started the first clinical trial in history, testing cures for scurvy among sailors who were desperate for healing. Like those sick sailors, our souls need the right nourishment to thrive. Don't try to tame your God-hunger—let it drive you. Don't settle for less when Jesus offers a feast. The world tries to fill this hunger with cheap substitutes. Fame, money, pleasure, and power all promise to satisfy but leave us empty. Only God's righteousness truly fills.

Prayer

Dear God, my hunger for You often feels more like a slight appetite than a desperate need. Wake up my spiritual tastebuds. Make me truly hungry and thirsty for Your righteousness. Help me crave Your Word, ways, and presence more than anything this world offers. Don't let me settle for less than the full feast You provide. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Personal Reflection

1. What things in my life am I more hungry for than righteousness?
2. When have I felt truly satisfied after seeking God, and how can I seek that feeling again?

Step of Faith

Today, I will set aside time to "feast" on God's Word, approaching it not as a duty but as soul food I desperately need.