Text: Matthew 5:6, Matthew 7:7-11, Romans 9:3-33, Romans 10:1-4, Psalm 17:15
We can’t get Harvey to stop eating green acorns in the backyard. Yes, specifically the green ones, and no, his stomach does not agree.
The main reason our goldendoodle puppy keeps finding acorns is because, well, it’s fall and they’re everywhere. He sniffs them out with the same tenacity I use when looking for a stray piece of gum in my purse. Before you know it, he’s crunch-crunch-crunching away. Again.
We’ve scolded him repeatedly, enrolled him in puppy school, and used lots of bribery. But when it’s not green acorns, he’s gnawing anything from a wooden armchair to a human hand, and at that point, I’ll take the pesky acorn any day. All the while, he ignores his full bowl of dog food, and although I haven’t tasted it myself, I’ll bet it tastes better than all those other things. When will he learn to eat the right things?
Better yet, when will we?
I’m hungry all the time. Of course, my stomach rumbles when I don’t eat breakfast or eye the pint of ice cream in the fridge, but it’s even more frequent than that—I’m ravenous for approval, control, love, and fulfillment. Instagram likes, friendly compliments, and foolproof plans are my foods of choice. Before I know it, I’m crunch-crunch-crunching away. Again.
But even after gorging myself, I am still unsatisfied and on to trying the next thing. Anybody else? Friends, we, too, are missing the satisfaction already set out for us—in Christ.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
– Matthew 5:6
I tend to picture the person who hungers and thirsts for righteousness as a total kill-joy, as if this verse is telling them—and us—to go on a strict righteousness cleanse. But it’s not! No, it’s inviting us into something so much better. Paul explains the distinction like this: “Because they disregarded the righteousness from God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted themselves to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:3-4).
If we are left to feed on our own righteousness, we will starve. But when we feed on the righteousness of Christ, we will be satisfied. On the cross, Jesus knew He was the only thing that would satisfy, and even in our longings today, it still rings true. We cannot create or earn righteousness on our own; we can only partake in the gift of His.
In contrast to our worldly desires that leave us longing and hungry for more, our satisfaction in Christ only increases with our hunger for Him. The more we seek first the kingdom of God, the more we will be fulfilled by His goodness—a taste of eternal satisfaction in the life to come.
“But I will see Your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.”
– Psalm 17:15
I am reminded that when I approach a buffet of appetizers, entrees, desserts, etc., I know I need to stay clear of the ‘unhealthy’ stuff! My tastebuds crave it so, but my body doesn’t know what to do with it – wasted calories all for nothing. I want to choose healthy options that will feed my body and fuel it the way God intended. Same for spiritual food.
Psalm 119:10-11
New Living Translation
10 I have tried hard to find you — don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Proverbs 21:21
Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Isaiah 32:17
And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.
Daniel 12:3
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
As a child of God, I should be/desire to be so full of God’s Word/ways that I am “too full to eat another bite offered by world.” May I be an example to others as I choose God’s ‘buffet’.
ADRIENNE – Thank you for keeping us updated on Leo’s progress! May God be glorified!
SEARCHING = Great soul questions! <3
Keeping all SHES in my prayers; you all bless my life!
“when I wake, I will be satisfied with your presence”. Happy FRIDAY sweet She’s. I’m very encouraged by this verse. Psalm 17:15. I love to wake up to God’s Word, and see/read what treasures HE has for me in the morning. I’m so thankful for this ministry of She Reads Truth, I’m especially thankful for all of you here. I haven’t been part of an in person Bible study for many years now, but I feel so connected with all of you here. Can’t wait to meet you someday. I made a typo in yesterday’s comment and wanted to clarify so I posted a comment in the evening yesterday.
Also, if I could ask for continual prayers for my back pain. It’s frustrating to say the least for it to constantly hold me back. I moved to Florida to be active, which is my usual lifestyle despite my bad back, but lately the last several months it seems like I’m laying down more than ever to take the pressure off my spine. Of course, it could always be worse, and I know God knows His plans for me, and I must keep that attitude!
GM!
The Romans passage really made more sense to me this time reading. Sometimes Paul’s wording sounds like a big riddle to me, but God gives you understanding a little at a time, hence the living word. The overall theme for “hungering and thirsting for righteousness is so good and life-changing! I hunger to know more of our Heavenly Father, the life and death of Jesus, and how the Holy Spirit works in us. Isn’t it amazing that the bible is alive and moving and not like some other history book that you read and that’s it? I also have always love the scripture of “ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, know and the door will be opened!” Basically it is on our end to have that relationship with God, through Jesus, and engage daily in it!
“He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich He has sent away hungry.” Luke 1:53
Ask, seek, knock Matthew 7:7
My favorite!
@Adrienne – yes. I’m on Pacific time.
Just an unrelated thought… Have you ever noticed that our comments are time stamped in the Eastern time zone? I am in the Central time zone, and it is not before 8, but before 7. God knows that I am NOT a morning person, so maybe that is meant to make me feel better. Heeheehee!
I just think it is fun to notice at what time people are posting (morning, versus mid-day versus evening…) Or even on the right day, right, SHARON, JERSEY GIRL? Heeheehee!
15 For he tells Moses, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. – Romans 9:15 & 16
May we be the ones shown mercy and compassion. It is not ME who “does” (verb!), but God. Thirst (verb!) for righteousness today, sweet sisters!
Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness? To study God’s word, believe His truths, draw closer to Him, to seek and walk in His will? To satisfy and fill me? Or am I spinning my wheels by looking for satisfaction in the people and world around me? Lord, please guide my thoughts and actions.
Psalm 107:9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
TINA & KELLY (NEO) ❤️ I could see myself in both of your comments yesterday. I stayed in trouble growing up because of attitude and tone of voice, and still struggle with it (mostly with certain people). Interesting how these verses from James tie in with yesterday’s meekness/power under control.
James 3:2b-3
If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
ADRIENNE – thank you for the Leo update, praising the Lord for his progress.
TRACI GENDRON, SHARON JERSEY GIRL and others – thank you for the reminder and emphasizing the action words. Especially that waiting is an action – in our waiting, God is working.
HEATHER O’MALLEY – praying for growing and guidance in your waiting
KIMBERLY Z – praying for a successful sale this weekend
CEE GEE – amen on Trust!! ❤️