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Matthew 5:1-12 Ps. 119:2 – Blessed are those who keep [the Lord’s] statutes and seek him with all their heart.
There are many examples of people who lived and walked by faith in God’s word. Moses was a man, that in time, listened to God and walked by faith. Joshua was noted for his courage and obedience. The author of Psalm 119 clearly provides a portrait of someone with a passion for God’s word.
The psalmist treasured God’s words in his heart. He sought the Lord with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength to apply God’s commands to his life. He does this despite the many challenges he faces, including some intense opposition of his enemies. But as the psalmist himself also admits, he is not perfect; he must continue to dedicate his life to seeking God in his Word and striving to live according to God’s righteousness.
Jesus—God’s Word in the flesh—uses language similar to the psalmist to commend people who want to follow God’s way: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Although we don’t know who wrote Psalm 119 or how his life turned out, Jesus’ words of blessing assure us that the psalmist’s striving to please God was not in vain. As Jesus promises, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness “will be filled.”
How about us? How about you? Are we, like the psalmist, hungering and thirsting for God’s righteousness? If we are, God will satisfy us.
Lord fill me with passion to be a follower who will faithfully seek your righteousness; help me to seek you with all my heart. Amen.
