Peter "became very hungry." Acts 10:1010And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, (Acts 10:10). Each one of us knows what that kind of feeling is: that knowing deep inside that craves for something to eat. But have you ever experienced being very hungry and not being able to find anything to eat?
In much of the world food is plentiful, and yet in some places it is not and even death by starvation takes away many lives. It is perhaps true that the greatest fear in the world is the fear of hunger. This is true particularly in parts of Africa and Asia.
Hunger is no respecter of persons. The king himself is served by the land. Rich and poor, old and young are all alike sustained and satisfied by food.
At that time when Peter was very hungry, God displayed before him four-footed beasts, wild beasts, creeping things and fowls of the air and then said to Peter, "Rise, Peter; kill, and eat." When Peter objected, God said. "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
More instruction is given to us in 1 Tim. 4, verses 4 and 5. "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
Pain relieved is pleasure and each of us is careful to quickly, if possible, satisfy those inward hunger pangs with something to eat.
Now what about another kind of hunger? We refer to a desire for righteousness. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness." Matt. 5:66Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6). Along with the blessing attached to this kind of hunger, there is also the promise of fulfillment—complete satisfaction.
“The righteous Lord loveth righteousness." Psa. 11:77For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. (Psalm 11:7). This tells us the character of our Lord who promises the blessing and the reward to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Do you, do 1 know this kind of hunger? Where is righteousness to be found today? Righteousness in the person of the Lord Jesus has gone up to the Father. (John 16:1010Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (John 16:10).) But also even now the moral qualities of the kingdom of God can be seen although the kingdom of God cannot yet be seen. Rom. 14:1717For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17) tells us: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink: but righteousness, and peace, and jay in the Holy Ghost." In Christ's coming kingdom righteousness will reign. We should earnestly desire, hunger and thirst for this time when our Lord and Savior shall be exalted and "the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever"! Isa. 32:1717And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. (Isaiah 32:17). Ed.