Hunger and Thirst

Hunger and Thirst
        "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."  Matt. 5:6.  The beatitudes are attitudes we need for everyday life.  It is not that we learn them once, and never have to return to them.  They are needed for each new situation and circumstance we encounter.  They are attitudes that reflect the character of Christ.  They are attitudes that take us through life with wisdom and understanding.  They build strong relationships with others, because they are not self centered, but rather they bring a blessing to those you encounter.
        To hunger and thirst is a natural part of life.  Hunger and thirst is essential for life and growth.  Your life is dependent upon your hunger and thirst.  To not be hungry or thirsty is a sign that something has gone seriously wrong.  Without hunger and thirst, a person is suffering from sickness, or some serious condition, that if not remedied, will ultimately lead to death.  But we must be careful how we fulfill our hunger and thirst.  If I consume the wrong things to satisfy my hunger, I will do damage to my body.  If I fill myself with junk food and pop, I may get the feeling that I am full, but I have not taken in the nutrition I need for health.  And so spiritually, my heart is hungry for the presence of God in my life.  But if I reach for other things, and don't reach out to God to satisfy my hunger, I may feel full, but this will not satisfy the hunger of my heart.  I must protect my hunger for God, and not allow my hunger to be fed with other things.
        "Ho!  Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat.  Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?  Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance."  Isa. 55:1,2.  Why would a person spend their paycheck on all kinds of things, but have no food to eat?  This is like a child of God who spends all their time and effort on other things, and have not called out to God to satisfy the longings of their soul.  We need to listen carefully to God.  God is speaking to every child of God, and desiring to lead them into a life of abundance and satisfaction.  But we must listen carefully to God's voice.  He has set a table before us, so we can come and dine with Him, and taste and see of His goodness.
        Life offers us a table to eat from.  Some things are good, some things are rotten, and some things are poisonous.  If you were invited to eat at a table which had some good things, some rotten things, and some poisonous things, you would become very careful about which things you ate.  And so as believers, we must be very careful about what we consume into our lives from this world.  There are many good things that God has provided, but the rotten things will make us spiritually sick, and the poisonous things will bring death. 
        Satisfy your hunger and thirst with the things of God.  Call out to God in prayer and worship, read the Word of God, and take time to fellowship with others who will build you up and encourage your life.