Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV
Oh, how I love the fall and winter seasons! I’ve sweated all summer long in the sweltering Arizona desert heat for so long that I’m gleefully unpacking the stretchy pants and long shirts, no longer having to worry about getting into a bathing suit again for the next six months.
Bring on the candy, the goodies, the hot chocolate and apple cider, the pies, cookies, cakes, and candy canes. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, after all. Please sir, can I have some more?
I know Thanksgiving is the time we come together as a family to thank God for all His bountiful blessings. And I do. I thank Him for the mashed potatoes and gravy before I tackle my son to get the last spoonful. I bless God for inventing elastic waistbands and praise His name for Spandex. However, my grandchildren better not take the last piece of pie, because Christmas is right around the corner, and I might accidentally lose their lengthy Christmas lists.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for the charcuterie board, for they will be made fat (1 Stacy 5:6). When March rolls around, I’ll regret every bite I took in November and December. But until then, I’m going to enjoy all the holiday buffets I can.
You’re probably thinking I need to memorize some Scriptures about gluttony, aren’t you? Or maybe you can relate? If so, “friend” me on Facebook. You’re my people.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6 NIV).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told those listening they would be blessed when they were hungry for righteousness because God would make them fat. Yes, fat. The word “filled” in that Greek verse is “chortazo,” meaning “fattened.” It refers to the fattening of animals. Chortazo is in the aorist tense, meaning it will happen now, not in the future, but at that moment. Your stomach wouldn’t have to growl, and God would fill it to overflowing.
In our culture, it’s hard to imagine ourselves being that hungry for something. Most of us have everything we need and more. I realize how privileged I am to joke about the amount of food I eat during the holidays. Sadly, other cultures cannot tease like that.
I work with people in Pakistan who are in generational slavery. They know real physical hunger. They may not eat a meal for days. It’s heartbreaking. But I am continually impressed with their faith. God has made them fat. Although working in the horrendous conditions of a bondage-labor brick kiln, their hunger and thirst for righteousness has been filled to the brim and pours out on those around them. Their strong faith humbles me.
I’d ask you to pray for these people, but I have asked them to pray for us. Their faith has not come easily. It has been grounded and made strong through adversity and suffering. We have not experienced the persecution they endure. People may mock us because we follow Jesus. But the Pakistani Christians are tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus. The horrific video images I’ve seen are forever seared into my memory.
I pray we hunger and thirst for righteousness like they do. And I pray it doesn’t take persecution to bring us to that point. Let’s get fat!
Lord Jesus, we are humbly aware of all You have blessed us. We are infinitely grateful. Fatten us, Lord, with righteousness. We want to be so full, that we pour out onto those around us. We are immensely grateful for all You have done and all You have given us.
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