Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness

In August 2010, thirty-three Chilean miners were trapped more than 2,000 feet underground after a cave-in. For the first seventeen days, before rescuers even reached them, the men survived on two spoonfuls of tuna, a sip of milk, and a bite of cracker every other day. One survivor later said the worst part wasn’t the darkness or the heat—it was the hunger and thirst. Every thought centered on one thing: food and water.

That story of desperation paints the perfect picture of what Jesus meant when He said:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

Just as the miners longed for food and water to survive, our souls should long for the righteousness of God—because without it, we will not survive spiritually.

The Craving of the Soul
Hunger and thirst are relentless. They don’t politely wait their turn—they demand satisfaction. The psalmist said, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God. I thirst for God, the living God” (Psalm 42:1–2). Our souls were made to crave God, yet many try to fill that emptiness with success, possessions, or pleasure. But Isaiah warns, “Why do you spend silver on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2). Only God’s righteousness can truly satisfy the human heart.

The Object of Our Hunger
Righteousness isn’t simply being “good” or checking religious boxes. It means being made right with God through His mercy and living in a way that reflects His character. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day equated righteousness with rule-keeping, but Jesus called that empty (Matthew 23:25). The apostle Paul declared he wanted to be “found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9). Righteousness is received by grace, not earned through performance.

The Promise of Satisfaction
Here is the good news: Jesus promises that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness “will be filled.” Psalm 107:9 celebrates this truth: “For he has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things.” There is satisfaction now—Jesus said, “I am the bread of life… no one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again” (John 6:35). And there is satisfaction yet to come: “They will no longer hunger; they will no longer thirst…for the Lamb…will guide them to springs of the waters of life” (Revelation 7:16–17).

Testing Our Appetite
So what are you hungry for? Success, comfort, recognition—or the righteousness of God? Our cravings reveal the direction of our hearts. Jesus calls us to feed our souls daily on His Word, in prayer, and fellowship with His people. Don’t settle for a nibble of righteousness on Sunday—make it your steady diet.

The Lord is ready to satisfy. He offers forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life through His Son. Don’t starve your soul. Come to the table of grace—and be filled.

1.  What does it mean to “hunger and thirst” for righteousness in daily life?
2.  Why do worldly pursuits always leave us empty? (cf. Isaiah 55:2)
3.  How do we avoid turning righteousness into self-made rule-keeping like the Pharisees?
4.  What does Jesus promise to those who truly hunger and thirst for righteousness? (Matthew 5:6)
5.  In what practical ways can we feed our appetite for God’s righteousness this week?

Those Serving
CALL TO WORSHIP/PRAYER
Justin Spargo
SONG LEADER
Jason Schofield
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Rich Walker
 ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Greg Morrison
John Key
Gary Jackson
Andrew Cain
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew Ringle
Psalm 107:1-9
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
Billy Robbins
CLOSING COMMENTS
Russ Robins
WELCOME CENTER
Richard Jacobs // Tina Jacobs
USHERS
Roy Pyle // David Williams
COMMUNION PREP
Emily Cain
CLOSING THE BUILDING
Paul Braden