Hunger for Righteousness: Finding True Satisfaction in God

Devotional

Day 1: Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness Leads to True Satisfaction

To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to deeply desire to be in right standing with God, longing for His presence and His ways above all else. This is not a casual interest, but a consuming passion that shapes every aspect of life, just as physical hunger and thirst drive us to seek food and water. When our hearts are set on pursuing God’s righteousness, He promises that we will be filled—our deepest needs and longings will be satisfied in Him, not in the fleeting things of this world. [01:48]

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

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking fulfillment apart from God? How can you intentionally redirect your desire toward pursuing righteousness in that area today?

Day 2: Earthly Desires Are a Mirage—Seek What Truly Satisfies

The world offers us a mirage of fulfillment—success, wealth, and pleasure—but these things ultimately leave us empty and longing for more. Like those whose “god is their stomach,” we can be tempted to chase after what the world provides, only to find that it does not truly satisfy our souls. True satisfaction comes not from earthly pursuits, but from setting our minds and hearts on things above, desiring what God desires, and seeking His kingdom first. [07:24]

Philippians 3:18-19 (ESV)
"For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."

Reflection: In what ways have you been chasing after a “mirage” of happiness or success? What practical step can you take today to shift your focus from earthly desires to the things of God?

Day 3: Jesus Is the Bread of Life—He Alone Satisfies Our Deepest Needs

Jesus calls Himself the bread of life, promising that whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst again. The crowds sought Jesus for what He could provide, but He pointed them to Himself as the true source of life and satisfaction. When we come to Jesus, believing in Him and trusting in His sufficiency, we find that He alone can fill the emptiness in our hearts and meet our deepest spiritual needs—far beyond what any earthly provision can offer. [19:35]

John 6:35-37 (ESV)
"Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.'"

Reflection: Are you seeking Jesus for who He is, or only for what He can give you? How can you focus your prayers and worship today on simply delighting in Jesus Himself?

Day 4: Longing for God Like a Thirsty Deer

Just as a deer pants for streams of water, our souls are meant to long for God with deep, desperate desire. This kind of spiritual thirst draws us into closer relationship with Him, leading us to seek His presence, listen to His voice, and pursue His will above all else. When we cultivate this longing, we find ourselves growing in intimacy with God, learning from Him, and being transformed by His love and truth. [13:05]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV)
"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: When was the last time you truly longed for God’s presence? What is one way you can intentionally seek Him with greater passion and focus this week?

Day 5: The Promise of Eternal Satisfaction in Christ

There is coming a day when all hunger, thirst, pain, and sorrow will be gone, and we will be fully satisfied in the presence of Jesus forever. The Lamb at the center of the throne will shepherd us, lead us to living water, and wipe away every tear from our eyes. This hope gives us strength to persevere now, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, knowing that our deepest desires will one day be completely fulfilled in Christ’s eternal kingdom. [26:26]

Revelation 7:16-17 (ESV)
"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal satisfaction with Jesus shape the way you live and pursue righteousness today? What hope does this give you in the midst of your current struggles?

Sermon Summary

In Matthew 5:6, Jesus declares, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” This statement flips our expectations of what the “good life” looks like. The world tells us to chase after success, comfort, and pleasure, but Jesus points to a deeper satisfaction—one that comes from longing for right relationship with God and others. The Beatitudes show us that the kingdom of God is for the least likely: the poor in spirit, the meek, the mournful, and now, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. These are the people who are most at home in God’s kingdom, because their desires are aligned with God’s heart.

Hunger and thirst are powerful metaphors. Just as our bodies cry out for food and water, our souls are designed to crave God’s presence and His ways. The world offers us mirages—false promises of fulfillment in money, status, or pleasure—but these never truly satisfy. Like the crowds who followed Jesus for bread, we can be tempted to seek God only for what He gives, rather than for who He is. But Jesus calls us to desire Him above all else, to let our spiritual “taste buds” change so that we long for righteousness, for right standing with God.

Righteousness is not just about moral behavior; it’s about being in right relationship with God and living out His justice and fairness. It’s about believing in Jesus, the true bread of life, and applying the gospel to every area of our lives. When we hunger and thirst for this kind of righteousness, Jesus promises that we will be filled—satisfied in a way the world cannot offer. This satisfaction is not just for this life, but for eternity. Revelation promises a day when we will never hunger or thirst again, when every tear will be wiped away, and we will be fully satisfied in the presence of Jesus.

So the question is: What are you hungry for? What are you thirsty for? If our deepest desire is for Jesus and to be in right relationship with Him, we will find the satisfaction our souls were made for.

Key Takeaways

1. True Satisfaction Comes from God, Not the World The world offers us countless mirages—success, wealth, pleasure—that promise fulfillment but always leave us empty. Only a hunger and thirst for righteousness, for right relationship with God, can truly satisfy the deep longings of our souls. When we pursue God above all else, we discover a satisfaction that the world cannot give. [07:59]
2. Righteousness Is Right Relationship, Not Just Right Behavior Righteousness is more than following rules; it’s about being in right standing with God and others. It means aligning our desires, actions, and relationships with God’s heart and justice. When we pursue this kind of righteousness, we reflect God’s character in the world and experience the fullness of life He intends. [11:09]
3. Desiring the Giver Over the Gifts It’s easy to seek God for what He can provide—blessings, solutions, comfort—rather than for who He is. Jesus challenges us to desire Him above His gifts, to seek the blessor rather than just the blessing. When our hunger is for Jesus Himself, we find a deeper, lasting fulfillment. [16:38]
4. The Gospel Must Be Applied to Every Area of Life Believing in Jesus is not just a one-time decision; it’s a daily application of the gospel to every part of our lives. We are called to trust Him not only for salvation, but for provision, guidance, and transformation in every circumstance. This ongoing faith is what keeps us in right standing and growing in satisfaction. [21:43]
5. A Future Hope: Eternal Satisfaction in Christ Our hunger and thirst for righteousness point us forward to a day when Jesus will wipe away every tear and satisfy every longing. The promise of Revelation is that there will be no more hunger, thirst, sorrow, or pain for those who are in Christ. This hope sustains us now and calls us to persevere in our desire for God until we see Him face to face.

** [26:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Opening Prayer
[01:48] - The Experience of Hunger
[02:18] - The Beatitudes: Who Is Blessed?
[04:18] - The Upside Down Kingdom
[05:13] - Hunger and Thirst in Everyday Life
[06:12] - Earthly Desires vs. Spiritual Desires
[07:59] - The Mirage of Worldly Fulfillment
[09:02] - Changing Spiritual Taste Buds
[10:41] - What Is Righteousness?
[12:05] - Desiring God Above All
[14:11] - The Crowd’s Misplaced Hunger
[16:38] - Seeking the Giver, Not Just the Gifts
[19:35] - Jesus, the Bread of Life
[21:43] - Applying the Gospel Daily
[23:37] - Jesus Is Enough
[25:49] - The God-Sized Hole
[26:26] - The Promise of Eternal Satisfaction
[28:01] - What Are You Hungry For?
[28:29] - Closing Prayer and Communion

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 5:6 (ESV) — “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

- John 6:35 (ESV)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

- Revelation 7:16-17 (ESV)
“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 5:6, who does Jesus say is “blessed,” and what promise does He give them?
According to John 6:35, what does Jesus call Himself, and what does He promise to those who come to Him?
In Revelation 7:16-17, what future hope is described for those who belong to Jesus?
The sermon described “hunger and thirst” as powerful metaphors. What are some ways the world tries to satisfy our hunger and thirst, according to the message? [[07:59]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that righteousness is not just about following rules, but about being in right relationship with God and others. Why is this distinction important? [[11:09]]
Jesus warns the crowd in John 6 not to seek Him just for the bread He provides, but for who He is. What does it look like to desire the Giver more than the gifts in your own life? [[16:38]]
The message talks about “changing our spiritual taste buds.” What does it mean for someone’s spiritual desires to change, and how does that happen? [[09:02]]
Revelation 7:16-17 describes a future where there is no more hunger or thirst. How does this future hope affect the way we live and pursue righteousness now? [[26:58]]

Application Questions

The world offers us “mirages” of satisfaction—success, wealth, pleasure—but they never truly fill us. What is one “mirage” you have chased after in your life, and how did it leave you feeling? [[07:59]]
The sermon asks, “What are you hungry for? What are you thirsty for?” If you’re honest, what do you find yourself desiring most these days? How can you tell if your desires are aligned with God’s heart? [[28:01]]
Righteousness is about right relationship with God and others. Is there a relationship in your life that needs to be made right? What is one step you could take this week to pursue reconciliation or justice? [[11:09]]
The message says it’s easy to seek God for what He can provide, rather than for who He is. Can you think of a time when you were more focused on God’s blessings than on God Himself? How can you shift your focus to desire Jesus above all else? [[16:38]]
The sermon encourages us to apply the gospel to every area of our lives, not just for salvation but for daily living. What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust Jesus? What would it look like to invite Him into that area this week? [[21:43]]
Revelation promises a day when every tear will be wiped away and we will be fully satisfied in Jesus. How does this hope encourage you in the struggles you face right now? [[26:58]]
The pastor shared about “changing spiritual taste buds.” Is there a spiritual practice (like prayer, worship, or reading Scripture) that you want to grow in so your desires for God increase? What is one small step you can take this week? [[09:02]]

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