Happiness in Passion

12-8-2010

Happiness in Passion by Boyd Bailey


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

Passion precedes a hungry heart for God. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? It is a deep desire within the believer’s inner being not only to want to participate in—but to possess righteousness. It craves more of Christ.

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn” (Isaiah 51:1).

A faith-focused frame of mind is filled with God thoughts. When I give in to doubtful thinking, I am susceptible to believe lies, but when my mind is set on things above, the world’s allure loses its luster. Like a rock climber, we can look up and see the beauty of our destination or we can look down and become dizzy with doubt and fear. “You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways” (Isaiah 64:5a).

Happiness results when we pursue righteousness with a passion. Does this drive your behavior? Do you try to get by with what’s least expected from the Lord? Or, do you seek to exceed His eternal expectations? What if we pursued righteousness like we pursue unrighteous mammon—money? Economics, politics and religion would all benefit. “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality” (Proverbs 12:28).

Sinners seek Jesus for salvation and then they continue to seek their Lord for sanctification. Our pursuit of righteousness was enabled by Christ’s purchase of righteousness on the cross. Hunger and thirst are appetites that return frequently, so we daily feast, by faith, before our heavenly Father. God gladly fills and satisfies our soul.

What hinders your pursuit of righteousness? Are you in the race or sitting on the sidelines? Perhaps you once sought the Lord—it’s not too late to return to a righteous rhythm of life. Do not allow the hypocrisies of others to become an excuse for your inconsistent living. Jesus Christ is the standard bearer for righteousness, so make Him the goal for goodness.

Constant meals of grace are merited for a hungry heart and a thirsty soul. So take time to take in His hearty meat of forgiveness and to drink His delicious love and mercy. His banquet table of peace, joy, holiness, wisdom, faith, hope and happiness satisfy to the uttermost. A life filled with the righteousness of God has no room for other meaningless morsels. It’s already full.

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy” (Hebrews 1:9).

Is my heart hungry for Jesus and Jesus alone? Am I in pursuit of righteousness?

Related Readings: Psalm 11:7; 106:3; Matthew 5:20; 1 Timothy 6:11; Hebrews 10:38