Day 19 - Righteousness

by DMWC on January 19th, 2012

THE WORD

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 (NIV 84)

 

THE APPLICATION

Think of a specific time when you were desperately hungry or thirsty. Your stomach was growling, or your mouth was dry; and you were so agitated that you couldn’t focus on anything other than your appetite.  No matter how hard you tried, nothing could satisfy your discomfort until you fulfilled that desire, right?  Well, in the same way, we should all have hearts that desperately crave the righteousness of God.

Righteousness is doing or being only “what is right, straight, or just.”  It should inform our work practices, our relationships, our hobbies, and even our attitudes.  To hunger for righteousness means to always desire to do the right thing. 

“He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.”  Proverbs 11:27 (NIV 84)

That verse is such a two-sided sword!  It says whatever you are looking for - you are going to eventually find it.  If you are looking for something truly good, then you will find it.  Unfortunately, if you are looking for trouble, you will find that, too.  It sounds a lot like a parents’ last warning to a teenager before they leave to hang out with questionable friends.  Interestingly enough, it’s the Father’s caution to us as we encounter the questionable influences in this world.

The only security we have against our desire is to want what is right.  That’s what righteousness is all about.  But in our sinful condition, we will never desire what is right on our own.  We must desire “Who” is right.  And in doing so, He changes our desires to reflect His own.  

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God…” Psalm 42:1-2a (NIV 84) 

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  Psalm 37:4 (NIV 84)


THE NEXT STEP

  1. On a sheet of paper, create a chart with two columns.  In the first column, write down all of the things that you strongly desire for your life.  It could be material things, relationships or anything else you strongly desire.   In the second column, write down WHY you want these things. Be honest. 
     
  2. Review your chart and think about the true source of each desire.  Do you notice any patterns that seem to drive your desires?  How does what you want compare to what God wants for you? 
     
  3. Ask God to eliminate those desires that are competing with His will for your life. 

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