According to Jesus, satisfaction is found by those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

But, what does that mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? First, let’s look at what it’s NOT.  To hunger and thirst for righteousness is not:

• Earning Salvation – “I’m trying really hard to do good so I can be good enough to measure up.” Why not? Because the Bible says it’s impossible. There’s no one righteous – not even one.
• Manipulating God to get what we want – “Since I’m trying really hard to do the right thing, God should repay me with the desires of my heart. This is karma.” This is not in the Bible. Nowhere in the Bible is it written that God helps those who help themselves. But rather, that God helps those who acknowledge they are helpless.

Hunger and thirst for righteousness are rooted and grounded in grace. This means I have tasted and seen that there is nothing in this world that comes close to what God has freely given me in Christ Jesus. It has nothing to do with how I perform or what I achieve. It is all about savoring and enjoying what has been freely given. 

Isaiah 55:1 says, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

This is the rich food of grace. It cannot be purchased. It can only be freely received.

It is recognizing who we are in our need for a Savior. It is understanding the grace and mercy lavished upon us. It is seeing and savoring what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. I don’t know about you, but that is what I want. This is the longing of my life. To walk in the lavish grace and mercy of my loving Savior!

The satisfaction that is found in the gift of Jesus Christ and His righteousness is out of this world. It is the only thing that will truly satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts.

Adapted from a sermon by Senior Pastor George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church