Meet Your Teachers: Mr. Hunger and Mrs. Thirst

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Matthew 5:6

As the Israelites prepared to enter the land of Canaan after forty-years of wandering in the wilderness, Moses led them in reviewing their experiences and the lessons they should have learned along the way. Among Moses’ recollections was the nation’s experience of hunger.

Not long after they left Egypt, even as they were journeying to Mount Sinai, the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron. They said something like, “We would have rather died suddenly with full stomachs in Egypt than be wasting away with hunger in the wilderness.” God, in his grace, answered the people by feeding them day by day with manna. After forty years of gathering manna, Moses interpreted their experience of hunger as not without purpose. God caused them to hunger for bread so that through his provision they would know “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”

Like the Israelites, we are on a journey through the wilderness of this rebellious world to the promised land of heaven, where righteousness rules. One day we will be home in the presence of God, where God’s will and way are always in control. We will think back on this journey and realize hunger and thirst were our teachers. When we cannot right the wrong done to us or seek vengeance for the injustice we endure, we are left knowing this world cannot offer what we need and longing for the day when God will satisfy that longing by making all things new.

Father, the way of this world does not lead to life. Help me to long for your righteousness and to know you will give it in due time.