“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall receive mercy.”

- Matthew 5:6

Our Lord Jesus calls those blessed who hunger and thirst after righteousness. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?

It means to desire, above all things, to be wholly conformed to the mind of God.

Have you ever looked at what the fruit of the Spirit produces in us— really looked at it?

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

God's Spirit in us is cultivating and producing “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness...” The Spirit is producing in us the very character of God. The Spirit of God is wholly conforming us to the mind and will of God.

Is it any wonder then that “smart,” “important, ” “comfortable, ” and “successful ” didn't make the fruit of the Spirit?

The things we spend most of our time, effort, and treasures pursuing, are not on the list.

We thirst for importance. We hunger for success. We strive to be comfortable. We want to feel and be seen as intelligent. And yet, none of these things will satisfy us. None of these things will bring us closer to God. None of these things will conform us to the mind and will of God.

Those who thirst and hunger for righteousness want to be "holy as God is holy." Our Lord says "blessed" are these people. They thirst and hunger now, but one day they will have enough; they will "wake up after God's likeness and be satisfied" (Psalm 17:15).

What are you thirsting for today? Where is your hunger leading you?

Your prayer today, "Lord conform me to your image. Quench my thirst with love, joy, peace, forbearance, and kindness... quiet my hunger with goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

Press on,
Pastor Harp