The Beautiful Hunger
Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church
October 12th Sermon, Day 3
Have you ever been so hungry that food was all you could think about? Or so thirsty that you'd do anything for a drink of water? Jesus used this imagery to describe a spiritual condition that leads to blessing - hungering and thirsting for righteousness. This isn't just about wanting to be a good person or follow moral rules. It's a deep, consuming desire for things to be right - in our hearts, in our relationships, and in our world. It's longing to live in proper alignment with God and to see justice flourish around us.
When we truly hunger for righteousness, we're not satisfied with surface-level changes or quick fixes. We want transformation that goes to the core. We desire authentic relationship with God, not just religious activity. We long for genuine love in our relationships, not just polite interactions. This hunger also extends beyond ourselves. We begin to care deeply about justice for the oppressed, mercy for the broken, and hope for the hopeless. We can't be content with a world where some have abundance while others lack basic needs, where some are valued while others are dismissed.
The beautiful promise is that this hunger will be satisfied. Not necessarily all at once, but progressively as we grow in our relationship with God and participate in his work of making all things new. Every act of justice, every moment of authentic connection, every step toward righteousness feeds this holy hunger.
Bible Verse
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." - Matthew 5:6
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life do you feel the strongest hunger for things to be made right, and how is God inviting you to participate in satisfying that hunger?
Quote We are blessed when we feel desperately thirsty and famished for righteousness, which not only means that we hunger and thirst for a just and moral personal life, we also hunger and thirst for living in right relationship with God.
Prayer
God, increase my appetite for righteousness. Help me to hunger not just for personal holiness, but for your justice and love to be evident in every area of life. Fill me as I seek to live in right relationship with you and others. Amen.
