We're halfway through the Beatitudes series, a small Bible study within Elle & Company's normal Weekly Truth routine. We're digging into Scripture to learn what these 8 verses from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount mean for us as we go about our daily lives, and I'm sharing a free phone wallpaper to help us memorize them and remind us of Truth throughout the week.
The Beatitudes, Week 4
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6
"The grass is always greener on the other side." We hear that phrase often and we can always relate to it in one way or another. Our human hearts are restless, always longing for what we don't have - money, fame, relationships, success, perfection. And even if we somehow attain the worldly things we long for, they make us happy for a moment and then we're quick to seek after something else. It seems that no matter what we attain, we are never truly satisfied.
In Matthew 5:6, Jesus doesn't tell us that seeking is wrong; God created our hearts to have an inconsolable longing. But Jesus tells us that we should hunger and thirst for righteousness, not the things of the world. Then, and only then, will we be truly satisfied.
So what is righteousness and how do we seek it?
Righteousness is the state of perfection required by God to have eternal life. We don't have the strength or ability to obtain righteousness on our own. Each one of us falls short of perfection every day; we are all inherently sinful. So righteousness is not found in us. It's given to us by the only one who lived a perfect life: Jesus. When we seek after righteousness, we're seeking after Him. Jesus is the only one who will truly satisfy that longing in our hearts.
"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear that your soul may live." Isaiah 55:2-3
Chasing after Instagram followers, a 6-figure salary, a smaller waistline, or even a significant other will never satisfy your soul. Only Jesus.
Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!
