Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
To know God is to receive blessings that far surpass anything the world can offer. The scriptures reveal that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are especially blessed, because their longing is profound—a desire for God’s presence, truth, and holiness that nothing earthly can satisfy. This deep spiritual yearning is not just a fleeting interest, but a passionate, persistent pursuit of God, celebrated both in the Christian Bible and the Quran. At the heart of this journey is the promise: those who seek God earnestly will be filled.
Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness
Jesus declares in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” This is more than a simple wish for goodness—it is a relentless pursuit of what is right in God’s eyes. Just as hunger and thirst drive us to seek what our bodies need, so does spiritual longing compel us to seek God’s word, His will, and His presence. True fulfillment and lasting satisfaction are found not in earthly things, but in communion with God.
Qualities of Those Who Seek God
· Deep Spiritual Yearning: Such individuals sense an emptiness that cannot be filled by riches, achievement, or pleasure, but only by God’s truth and presence.
· Passionate Pursuit: Their desire isn’t passive; they actively, relentlessly seek to know God more deeply and to experience Him daily.
· Rejection of Worldly Distractions: They turn away from distractions—entertainment, busyness, even good things that can dull spiritual sensitivity—to focus on what truly matters.
· Desire for Righteousness: Their hunger is not just for knowledge, but for holiness and a life aligned with God’s will.
The Eight Characters of Blessed People
Our Savior describes eight qualities that mark those who are truly blessed, each representing the chief graces of a Christian:
· The poor in spirit: Humble, recognizing their need for God, and longing for a Redeemer.
· Those who mourn: Experiencing godly sorrow that leads to repentance, humility, and a dependence on God’s mercy.
· The meek: Patient and gentle, submitting quietly to God and responding to others with grace.
· Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: Eager for every spiritual blessing, their sincere desire is raised by God Himself, who will never abandon the work of His hands.
· The merciful: Compassionate and helpful toward those in need, seeking to lift others out of hardship and sin.
· The pure in heart: Pursuing holiness, keeping their hearts clean before God, and able to see Him in all His glory.
· The peacemakers: Loving, desiring, and working for peace, striving to maintain and restore harmony wherever possible.
· Those persecuted for righteousness: Willing to suffer for doing what is right, trusting that God will reward their faithfulness in the end.
God’s blessings rest not on those whom the world might admire—the powerful, the wealthy, or the proud—but on those whose hearts are turned toward Him in humility, longing, and love. In seeking God, we find mercy, true happiness, and the promise of His eternal kingdom. With this hope and assurance, we can face the low and painful moments of life with joy, knowing that every hunger and thirst for God will be fully satisfied in Him.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 