Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; they shall be satisfied.
Before plunging in to Jesus’ next statement of happiness, let’s revisit the structure of the Beatitudes and situate the previous blessing of meekness. Looking at the verse to verse progression, it is clear that meekness sits perfectly upon its twin foundations of poverty of spirit (I have absolute need for God) and mourning (contrition over the fact that I’m not OK, you’re not OK, the world is not OK), and that it leads naturally into the declaration of blessing on those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Remember that meekness curbs our urge to control circumstances, people, environments, or activities, either through engaging in mental and emotional fantasy scenarios or by actual exertion of our wills, authority, emotions, or strength. Without the gift of meekness, we try to mold our world (and that of others) into a pattern and model of what we think is right or just – to make things OK for us. And we do so apart from submission to God and without leaving to him the providential role that he should have over us as Lord.
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