RIGHTEOUSNESS

Today’s verses begin with the word ‘meek’. It is a word that Jesus used to describe himself too (Matthew 11:29). This can be misunderstood as weakness or someone who is afraid to stand up for themselves or for being defenceless. However, meekness can describe a person who is disenfranchised and of such low estate that their complete reliance is solely on God. Blessed is the community of people who serve the world around them from an identity God gives them rather than having a man-made status or having achieved a name for themselves.

Those who are part of the Kingdom of Heaven hunger and thirst for righteousness. There is both desperation and need in that statement. We are to crave and seek righteousness as an essential of life. Righteousness and justice go hand in hand, as we desire to see the world made right. Luke includes physical hunger and thirst, too. Blessed is the community that seeks to put the world right, to see people fed spiritually and physically, and to drink deeply of the spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Reflect

• In your own location/country or throughout the world, do people feel that no one can advocate for them? Write these places down if you feel comfortable, and pray their meekness will not be taken advantage of.
• Righteousness is to put things right. Think of a place in the world where things are not right. It may be because of war or hunger.
• Why do you think Jesus says that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled? Spend time in silence, asking God for that hunger and thirst to grow in you.

Pray

• Choose a ministry that you know of and pray for the leaders involved so that they may serve with meekness. You may like to contact each of these leaders to let them know you have been praying for them.
• Pray that the global SU movement be known as an organisation that seeks God’s righteousness with the same desperation that we seek food and water. Pray for our leaders, locally and globally, to make just and wise decisions.
• Pray the Lord’s prayer!