Thirsty For The Great Stuff

By Randy Abell, Pastor, Heartland Baptist Church, Ames, IA, 3rd VP, BBFI

Read Matthew 5:6.

I grew up in southern Indiana. As a teenager, I worked with my dad on the farm most Saturdays and all summer.  It was often putting up hay, repairing fences, cleaning out the barns, or weeding what I thought was the largest garden in the world.  But one benefit that I always looked forward to was that he would always take me to Solsberry General Store for lunch, which included a ham and cheese sandwich, a bag of chips, and an ice-cold Big Red soda.  Wow, did that hit the spot?  And though it’s been many decades, that is still one of my favorite lunches!

In this verse, the Lord wants us to know that we should hunger and thirst after righteousness: His things, the stuff from Heaven.  Many turn to the Scriptures or prayer in times of need, and rightly so. The Lord‘s greater desire is for us to have a daily relationship with Him. What pleases the Lord is when we plan on spending time with Him, seeking His will, and doing right every day. And the more you hunger or thirst after the good things of God, His Word, and His ways, the more you will desire to have it all the more, both in good times and bad. 

There is great comfort in starting our day with the Lord, talking to Him throughout the day, making choices that we know He'd approve of, and looking for opportunities to do His will. Click To Tweet

When I went with my dad, as we sat in his pickup eating that lunch and downing the last swig of Big Red, I was satisfied!  And the Lord Jesus promises that as we seek the things of Heaven and God’s ways, we will also be filled. I can tell you there is great comfort in starting our day with the Lord, talking to Him throughout the day, making choices that we know He’d approve of, and looking for opportunities to do His will.  Not only does it set us up to be filled spiritually, but spiritual fullness tends to flow into other parts of our lives.  And when you’ve had great stuff with the Lord, you can’t wait till next time.  

Reflective Questions:

1. Have you ever gone through a spiritual dry season? If so, how did that affect you? 
2. What aspect of your walk with the Lord do you hunger or thirst? Do you regularly ask the Lord to help your hunger and thirst for Him?
3. Have you considered that when you’re filled with righteousness, you’re able to minister to others from your fullness? 

Memory Verse:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 NKJV

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness! Help me not to be satisfied with temporary nourishment but to daily take in Your eternal Truth. I want to live for You. And I want my life to please You. 

Related Scriptures

Psalm 63:1; Psalm 107:9; Proverbs 21:21; Isaiah 55:1; John 4:14; John 6:48; John 7:37