Hunger

April 24, 2024

Hunger


Satisfaction comes from the right hunger/thirst (not compulsion, but desire)

Matthew 5:6 (Weymouth) 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be completely satisfied. (implication about righteousness)


Hunger/thirst for:

  • Have eaten previously
  • There’s room for more
  • Will pass up other things for
  • Worth the price
  • Will partake when found

Why bother?

Reward of the righteous – God’s working

Psalms 37:23-25 (AMPC) 23 The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. 24 Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him. 25 I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the [uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread.


Security, provision, peace from righteousness found

Isaiah 54:14-17 (AMPC) 14 You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness, in conformity with God's will and order): you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you. 16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows on the fire of coals and who produces a weapon for its purpose; and I have created the devastator to destroy. 17 But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.


##Where to?

Righteousness isn’t found in what seems

Proverbs 14:12 (AMPC) 12 There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.


Can’t look to self for right

Isaiah 64:6 (TLB) 6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we put on our prized robes of righteousness, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves we fade, wither, and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.


The palette must be set on another menu

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.


The only way to know God’s thoughts – by the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:9-12 (TLB) 9 That is what is meant by the Scriptures which say that no mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord. 10 But we know about these things because God has sent his Spirit to tell us, and his Spirit searches out and shows us all of God’s deepest secrets. 11 No one can really know what anyone else is thinking or what he is really like except that person himself. And no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world’s spirit) to tell us about the wonderful free gifts of grace and blessing that God has given us.


Seeking Him by the Spirit – righteousness found

Isaiah 26:8-9 (NKJV) 8 Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name And for the remembrance of You. 9 With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; For when Your judgments are in the earth, The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.


Hunger for true righteousness loses all appetite for what the flesh offers (what seems)

Philippians 3:3-4 (NKJV) 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:


Tasting develops the appetite/hunger for

Psalms 34:8 (NLT) 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!


It’s in belief/obedience that it is consumed

James 2:23 (NLT) 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.


With each step in light – satisfaction of righteousness

Psalms 36:9-10 (NKJV) 9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. 10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.


Must be the only meal for it to satisfy

Philippians 3:8-11 (NLT) 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!


Consuming/honoring Him at every consideration impacts its results

Proverbs 3:5-10 (NLT) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. 10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.