Hunger is both good and bad. It's wonderful as it is being sated. It's even pleasurable when, at a moderate level, one is able to contemplate or even enjoy a delicious, satisfying meal. However, when hunger goes too long it becomes painful and, at its extreme, brings misery and even death. Thirst is even more profound. The human body can't live long without water. Dehydration to death is said to be a horrible fate.

But Jesus said, "Bless are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." It's like he's saying your soul will not be fed until it's really really hungry. THEY will be filled. The hungering and thirsting mentioned here means at the most extreme levels?starving almost to death; thirsting almost to death.

God is a God of extremes. After all, he created the extremes. And in many things God desires the extreme. God would rather we be hot or cold in our commitment to him, but not lukewarm (Rev. 3:15). God wants us to love him with ALL our hearts (Matt. 22:37). Jesus commands that we give up EVERYTHING that we have to follow him (Luke 14:33). To find God we must seek him with ALL our hearts (Jer. 29:13). God seeks out those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chron. 16:9). And on and on.

Heaven and Hell are extremes. Death on a cross is extreme. Starving and thirsting to near death is extreme.

Yet, it is this kind of experience that is a requisite for being filled. Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? If not, you might look at what is sating your need for the righteousness of God.

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God" (Psa. 42:1).