Matthew 5:1-16 Jesus said: " Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.' Although the crowds were gathered at the base of the mountain, the teachings of the sermon on the Mount were primarily for His disciples' benefit; for those who were serious about walking in the ways of the kingdom. These opening verses describe character traits which if they are true in our lives, make it possible to live by the standards described by the rest of the sermon. There are some strong basic principles that lie at the heart of these "Blessed are...'s". First there is a recognition of who our God really is and what we are in relationship with Him. Second there is a realization that we in our own strength are entirely incapable of meeting the standards that are demanded by God." Third there is an intense desire to please Him and to walk in His will regardless of the cost. And a faith knowledge, that doing so is possible in as far as we depend on His strength and resources to get the job done. Those who are poor in spirit are those who have things in the proper perspective and recognize their utter dependence on Him. Those who mourn do so because of the ravages of sin on their lives and the lives of others. A hungering and thirsting after righteousness is a deep longing after God, for fellowship with Him and that His character would be established in us, and that His righteousness would be the standard for the world.

Do You Hunger for Righteousness?