In his daily devotional, Hope for Each Day, Billy Graham shares his thoughts and insights on selected Scripture. We hope that you will find encouragement in today’s entry.

July 9

A Thirst for Righteousness

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” Matthew 5:6

God is the only source of true happiness, because He offers those intangibles that we mistakenly believe can be found on earth: contentment, security, peace, and hope for the future. None of these can be found in a job, a human relationship, money, power of position. they are God’s alone to give.

How hard it is for us to believe this, however! This is understandable if we haven’t given our lives to Christ; then, the Bible says, our spiritual “eyes” are still blinded, unable to see God’s truth until the Holy Spirit opens them. But it can happen to us as believers also – falling into the pattern of the world, vainly pursuing happiness in the same ways the world does.

That is why the Lord Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, told where ultimate happiness lies: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” This is God’s promise – and it is true.

Riches . . . or righteousness? Which will be your goal?