As I drove past a bustling fast-food establishment recently, memories flooded my mind of my sons' youthful declarations of stomach aches whenever we neared such places. Over time, my wife and I learnt to decipher their 'stomach ache' as a simple craving for food or drink.

 

We all possess desires, cravings, and appetites. What stirs your appetite? As long as we breathe, hunger and thirst will accompany us. Have you considered what you might be sacrificing for your current desires? Is righteousness among the things you may be overlooking in pursuit of other cravings?

 

In the journey of discipleship, each mentee longs to mirror their mentor. This aspiration finds fulfillment when the mentor generously imparts their wisdom and foundational principles.

 

At the helm of a movement poised to transform the world, Jesus initiates an unconventional approach by unveiling the abundant blessings awaiting His followers even before their formal training begins. This revelation echoes the sentiment of Psalm 35:27, which declares, 'Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”'

 

Upon encountering Him, He sets a feast before us. But for most men, instead of partaking and finding satisfaction in what He provides, we find ourselves preoccupied with the distractions of the world. Therefore, the hunger for true fulfillment remains dormant, resulting in fleeting achievements and shallow pursuits.

 

Our Heavenly Father is so deeply invested in our success, prioritizing the impartation of timeless principles to lead us to the heights where He resides. His intention is to help realise that the ultimate aim of humanity is to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ, a journey attained through a fervent pursuit of God's righteousness by faith.

 

 

John Piper, in his book “A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer” penned “If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great.

 

This is my rendition, “If you find yourself lacking a fervent desire for God's glory, it may not be due to being fully satisfied but rather from indulging in worldly distractions for too long. Your soul may be filled with trivial matters, leaving little room for the profound.”

 

Our original state with God was one of righteousness before the Fall. Adam and Eve lost this righteousness in the garden of Eden, affecting all of humanity. 

 

Romans 3:21-24 underscores this when Paul declared “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 

 

22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 

 

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Father, I declare that nothing satisfies like you. I receive the grace to prioritise hunger and thirst for righteousness in my life. Help me to manage all distractions in my life and passionately pursue You above all else.

 

 

Contrary to physical hunger which is automatic, spiritual hunger has to be intentionally desired. When you are in right standing with God you can claim the benefits of the righteous. In a world where hunger for God is sometimes viewed as weakness, let us explore why hungering and thirsting for righteousness is important:

 

1. Spiritual Growth: Just as physical nourishment sustains life and growth; spiritual hunger and thirst for righteousness are essential for the well-being of the soul. This craving for righteousness signifies a longing for God's rule in our lives and a thirst for His Word and presence.

 

2. Pursuit of Righteousness: Hungering and thirsting for righteousness involves the pursuit of sanctification, and the desire to be more like Jesus. It leads us to uproot sin by the power of the Holy Spirit and strive towards personal holiness.

 

3. Fulfilment in Christ: The promise associated with hungering and thirsting for righteousness is that those who earnestly seek it will be satisfied. This satisfaction comes from seeking first the kingdom of God, pursuing His righteousness, and believing in Jesus Christ as the source of true fulfilment.

 

4. Alignment with God’s will: Pursuing righteousness aligns us with God's will, allowing us to experience His blessings, mercy, and become beacons of light in a dark world.

 

 

James 5:16 declares, “The earnest prayer of the righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

 

Word-studies

1. Righteous (Dikaios): conformity to God’s own being (His will, standard of rightness); judicial approval.

2. Effective (Energéō): energise, working in a situation which brings it from one stage (point) to the next, like an electrical current energising a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb.

 

In Christ, we are empowered to create, heal, exercise dominion over the physical realm, think and act in alignment with His teachings, and wield authority over spiritual darkness and opposing forces. It is a transformational journey marked by a hunger and thirst for righteousness, leading us to a life that mirrors the very essence of our divine mentor."

 

Prayer Point

Father, by the blood shed by Christ Jesus, You have judicially approved me to be righteous. I receive the spiritual understanding that I am conformed to Your own being. Therefore, my prayer has great power and produces wonderful results. IJN