7-8-2014

Good Morning All,

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

     One of the interesting things about watching our grandson grow is that he is getting to the age where he wonders about things.  “What’s that?”  Then you get an “oh!” Then you start all over.  He has a hunger for what the world around him is, how it works, and what it can do.  It won’t be long before his is experimenting with his world; that will keep mom and dad on their toes.

    It is interesting that many of us continue to hunger and thirst in our adult life.  Some of us hunger and thirst for money or power; some hunger and thirst for companionship so they won’t be alone.  Some hunger and thirst for knowledge.  One thing that many people hunger and thirst for is purpose.  Many wonder why they exist; is this existence all there is.  Most humans truly hunger and thirst for God; they seek God as a means to explain life.  They seek God to give them an assurance that life has meaning and even that life is more than just here and now.

    Part of the difficulty is that many are hungering and thirsting in the wrong direction.  Somewhere along the way, the world has convinced us that there is no one God but that there are many gods and many ways to find truth.  Even truth does not really exist, everything depends on what you feel, want or experience.  This kind of thought makes it impossible to recognize God, for God is truth, singular and absolute.  God’s way is far above our way but so is his love and mercy.  That is part of the reason why those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, but think they find it somewhere other than God, are always hungry and thirsty; they never have the real stuff.

    So if you are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, keep on hungering and thirsting.  God is trying to feed you.  He is trying to feed you by his Word and by his sacrament.  He is trying to feed you with his undeserved love.  He is trying to restore you to the purpose that you were created.  He has forgiven you and promised you eternal salvation.  Cling to that promise and you will never hunger or thirst for righteousness again.  You will be satisfied by his grace.  His Spirit will make you whole.  So if you are still hungry and thirsty from the falseness of the world, seek after God’s righteousness and his grace.  In his mercy, you will be satisfied.

Father of all goodness, you pour your Spirit out upon us.  In you we have fullness; in you we are complete.  Guide us to see that our journey in this life is but the start of eternity with you.  Lead us to see that our hope lies in you alone.  Lead us to seek and to live your truth.  Be with those who are hungering and thirsting but still do not know you.  Lead them by your precious Word to hear your saving truth.  Bring them safely into your kingdom.  All this we boldly ask in the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret