Saturday, August 9, 2014

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

I see the blessings or “beatitudes” as the essence of the rest of the sermon on the mount. The second three blessings are for when we have come into the light, when God expects us to pursue good.

The first of these is for those whose hearts are turning to good.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are those who want things to change for the better, who want right to be done, who want to do good, who are willing to change. Blessed are those who when they themselves can't do good, ask God to do good for them. Blessed are those who finally align themselves with God.

Blessed was Paul when he fasted for three days, sitting there blind, waiting for God to give him direction.

Blessed was Peter when Jesus accepted him back and asked him three times, "Do you really love me?" He made it clear to him that not only he was forgiven, but he would be feeding others who were hungry for God's kingdom.

Blessed was David, when he fasted, pleading for the life of his child. God did not allow the child to live, and David accepted it as God's judgement. 

Blessed was Jonah, when he was inside the fish and after three days finally cried out to God to save him. God listened to him and had the fish throw him up on dry land. 

Blessed was Israel, hungry in the wilderness. God listened to them and fed them manna. 

Blessed was Job, when he sat in silence with his friends, hungry to understand what was happening to him.

Blessed was Noah when that water receded and God told him that all animals were now food for him and his family, as well as plants.

Blessed were Adam and Eve when God told them that they would not longer eat of the trees of the garden, but from the plants of the field. God said it would now be difficult to obtain food - He introduced hunger.

Blessed was creation on the fourth day when God started to fill it - beginning with the sun. moon and stars.

Blessed was Jesus, when he was baptized - embracing the mission the Father had for him of saving all of us - and then fasted in the wilderness. After 40 days, he became hungry, was tempted by Satan, and stood his ground in righteousness.

Finally, blessed am I that God has put a hunger inside of me to do good. I want to become more like God.

Blessed are all of us, that God instills in us the desire do good, become better, do right. God gives us plenty of everything to live and thrive, if we work at it and use it correctly.


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