The Way to True Happinessنموونە

Matthew 5:6 — Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

Those who hunger and thirst for God's righteousness will be satisfied. That is why Jesus calls them blessed. They are redeemed and share in God's salvation. They have a whole-hearted desire for a right relationship with God. Because of sin and humanity's rebellion against God, this relationship has been corrupted. Righteousness means that this relationship is restored and there is peace with God again. We have no righteousness to secure our own salvation, and cannot restore a right relationship with God. The Lord makes us righteous when we turn to Him, aware of our iniquity, and accept redemption through Jesus Christ alone. He is our righteousness.

Are you a sinner longing for God's righteousness? Even now Christ wants to satisfy your longing for a relationship with God, for reconciliation, peace and joy. In the future, your happiness will be complete. In the book of Revelation, John sees a great crowd standing before the throne and before the Lamb in heaven. Their hunger and thirst for righteousness has vanished. He writes: "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore" (Revelation 7:16 ESV). John sees the people of God who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, which symbolizes reconciliation. Their robes are white as a sign of pure and perfect fellowship with Jesus which they share with all the saints. Their hunger and thirst for righteousness is fulfilled for all eternity. On earth, hunger and thirst are natural recurring desires that demand satisfaction. The soul made alive by God cries out now for the food of righteousness (Matthew Henry).

Those who experience hunger and thirst will work for their food. It is the same in the spiritual realm. We long for spiritual blessings, and we also make an effort to obtain them. Those who hunger and thirst in this manner are blessed. This is a longing that God instills in us, and it is a foretaste of something better. God does not take half measures. He finishes what He has started. The Holy Spirit gives you the strength to persist in the desire for God's righteousness. He will give you assurance that all will be well because Christ intercedes for us (Luke 22:31-32). Hallelujah!