Matthew 5:6 - “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.’ 

Be-attitudes which is also known as ‘beautiful attitudes’ or ‘attitudes for being blessed’ is the Christian's manifesto. They are the nine underlying principles given by Jesus, which should become our vision and mission statement in life (Matthew 5:3 - 12). A blessed person is a recipient of God’s favour and grace, who gains this favoured position by doing nothing. It is simply God’s favour poured on an individual which makes the others clamour – ‘ Oh, we want that’.  

The fourth beatitude declares that when we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we shall be satisfied. Just the way food and drink is indispensable in our daily life, so is our God. Hunger and thirst is a physical condition we encounter every day and in a similar manner we should hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness day after day. We need to eat of the word of God (Jeremiah 15:16) and drink of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37) for our spiritual sustenance on a daily basis. 

 As children of a Righteous Father, we must be aware that we are being watched by the world and  need to do things in such a way that the people would say – ‘we know who their Father is’. No wonder Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  

Learning to hate what God hates and loving what God loves is our growth in righteousness. King David said that God led him in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3b).  

Thought for the day: When God and His righteousness becomes our daily intake from the word and the Spirit, we shall be satisfied.