Hunger And Thirst.

They that hunger and thirst after righteousness are happy. Some understand this as a further instance of our outward poverty, and a low condition in this world, which not only exposes men to injury and wrong, but makes it in vain for them to seek to have justice done to them they hunger and thirst after it, but such is the power on the side of their oppressors, that they cannot have it they desire only that which is just and equal, but it is denied them by those that neither fear God nor regard men. This is a melancholy case! Yet, blessed are they, if they suffer these hardships for and with a good conscience let them hope in God, who will see justice done, right take place, and will deliver the poor from their oppressors, Psalm 103:6. Those who contentedly bear oppression, and quietly refer themselves to God to plead their cause, shall in due time be satisfied, abundantly satisfied, in the wisdom and kindness which shall be manifested in his appearances for them. But it is certainly to be understood spiritually, of such a desire as, being terminated on such an object, is gracious, and the work of God's grace in the soul, and qualifies for the gifts of the divine favour.

Righteousness is here put for all spiritual blessings. See Psalm 24:5; Matthew 6:33. They are purchased for us by the righteousness of Christ conveyed and secured by the imputation of that righteousness to us and confirmed by the faithfulness of God. To have Christ made of God to us righteousness, and to be made the righteousness of God in him to have the whole man renewed in righteousness, so as to become a new man, and to bear the image of God to have an interest in Christ and the promises--this is righteousness.

These we must hunger and thirst after. We must truly and really desire them, as one who is hungry and thirsty desires meat and drink, who cannot be satisfied with any thing but meat and drink, and will be satisfied with them, though other things be wanting. Our desires of spiritual blessings must be earnest and importunate "Give me these, or else I die every thing else is dross and chaff, unsatisfying give me these, and I have enough, though I had nothing else." Hunger and thirst are appetites that return frequently, and call for fresh satisfactions so these holy desires rest not in any thing attained, but are carried out toward renewed pardons, and daily fresh supplies of grace. The quickened soul calls for constant meals of righteousness, grace to do the work of every day in its day, as duly as the living body calls for food. Those who hunger and thirst will labour for supplies so we must not only desire spiritual blessings, but take pains for them in the use of the appointed means. Dr. Hammond, in his practical Catechism, distinguishes between hunger and thirst. Hunger is a desire of food to sustain, such as sanctifying righteousness. Thirst is the desire of drink to refresh, such as justifying righteousness, and the sense of our pardon.

Those who hunger and thirst after spiritual blessings, are blessed in those desires, and shall be filled with those blessings.

They are blessed in those desires. Though all desires of grace are not grace (feigned, faint desires are not), yet such a desire as this is it is an evidence of something good, and an earnest of something better. It is a desire of God's own raising, and he will not forsake the work of his own hands. Something or other the soul will be hungering and thirsting after therefore they are blessed who fasten upon the right object, which is satisfying, and not deceiving and do not pant after the dust of the earth, Amos 2:7; Isaiah 55:2.

They shall be filled with those blessings. God will give them what they desire to complete their satisfaction. It is God only who can fill a soul, whose grace and favour are adequate to its just desires and he will fill those with grace for grace, who, in a sense of their own emptiness, have recourse to his fulness. He fills the hungry Luke 1:53, satiates them, Jeremiah 31:25. The happiness of heaven will certainly fill the soul their righteousness shall be complete, the favour of God and his image, both in their full perfection. - Mathew Henry