Daily Delight Devotional – Monday, July 29, 2024
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
– Matthew 5:6-8, NKJV
In continuation of the exploration of the Beatitudes – Blessed Attitudes, Jesus describes additional attitudes that define true blessedness. These qualities are not only highlights of a life aligned with God’s will but also pathways to experiencing His profound blessings.
Jesus said those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled (vs 5). There is a kind of intensity and desire with hunger and thirst. While physical hunger may drive passion into you for food, this kind of thirst and hunger is a deep desire that evokes the willingness to see justice delivered, see righteous living entrenched, and ensure everything is done according to God’s will. The promise with this blessed attitude is that such desire will be granted. Anyone hungry will satisfied and those who thirst will be filled.
Being merciful is the next blessed attitude: those who are compassionate about others, who lean on God’s kind of mercy, extend grace to the underserving, and forgiveness irrespective of the offense. It’s a full reflection of who the Father is and what Jesus came to show us as He became man. When we show mercy to others, we open ourselves to experiencing God’s abundant mercy too.
And lastly for today is the purity of heart. A person who is pure in heart is someone who is single-minded in allegiance and devotion to God. Such a person will see God. By God’s word, those who seek Him will find Him. Jesus, Himself, affirms that God is seeking those who will worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:24). When God is our whole, we have a heart that is free from deceit, hypocrisy, and sinful desires. Our relationship with God becomes strengthened. Our Spirit becomes bonded with God’s Spirit. And like Paul, we can say, “…It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Insight: Hunger for righteousness, showing mercy, and maintaining a pure heart are blessed attitudes that lead to a fulfilled life in God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live in a way that reflects Your character and draws me closer to You.
Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 17-20