“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.”
(Matthew 5:6, NLT)
Our need for food and water is a need basic to us all. Jesus speaks to the crowd in a manner they would be able to understand.
In those biblical times and region, food and water were not always in abundance or readily available. The people knew what it truly meant to be hungry and thirsty in the natural. They knew what it was to have these needs go unmet.
Jesus also knew the Jewish people would know and understand that the Law instructed them to love God, and to love their neighbor.
And so it is that we will be filled and satisfied when we seek to help and provide for those around us.
In his book, The Good Life, Dr. Derwin L. Gray powerfully and beautifully explains:
“Happy are those who are fattened, gorged, and overflowing with love for God, for themselves, and for their neighbors. Happy are those who partner with God to meet the deep hurts of the world with his deep love. There’s plenty of room at God’s banquet table – all the food and drink you want.”
(from page 112)
As we grow in our desire for justice, it means we grow in our desire to make things right.
“How blessed are those who keep justice, Who practice righteousness at all times!”
(Psalm 106:3, NASB)
Blessed are we when we keep justice and practice righteousness in the dailyness of our lives. As each of us does our part, it is the way we will impact our communities and our world. It is the way we will cause His light to shine in the darkest of times.
Keep justice.
Practice righteousness.
Be blessed!
Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash
Praying that His light shine in the darkness of these unusual times! I love the quote you shared: "Happy are those who are fattened, gorged, and overflowing with love for God, for themselves, and for their neighbors." We so need to share the banquet of what God feeds us with others - I love this visual! Thank you for this Joanne!
ReplyDeleteI love the quote - and this is a great reminder of the importance of seeking justice.
ReplyDeleteI've always heard "righteousness" rather than "justice" in that verse--most translations seem to use righteousness. But now that I think about it, they are connected. When God makes me right with Himself, then I'll do right to others.
ReplyDeleteJoanne,
ReplyDeleteI've always had this strong sense of justice. I'm thankful that God has given me a desire to do what is right regardless of what others think. Now, more than ever, we need to be pursuing God's righteousness and justice.
Blessings,
Bev xx