I Can Learn The Bible: The Joshua Code For KidsSample

“Those who want to do right more than anything else are happy. God will fully satisfy them.”
Matthew 5:6

Thirsty for Doing Right

One day Jesus was teaching on a mountainside. He told all of the people listening that even if you do the right thing on the outside, it doesn’t please God unless you also have the right attitude on the inside. This part of His lesson is called “The Beatitudes.” Jesus teaches that we need to be who He wants us to be before we do what we think we are supposed to do. For example, if your teacher tells you to finish your math worksheet and you finish it while stomping your feet, saying unkind words, and having a bad attitude inside your heart, is Jesus pleased? No! It’s not just the math worksheet He cares about—it’s the attitude of your heart.

What Is Righteousness?

When our hearts have a good attitude, we will want to do the right thing; that’s called righteousness. It’s a big word that means doing the right thing because we want to honor God, follow His laws, and live a life that pleases Him. This week’s verse says that wanting to do the right thing will make us happy and blessed.

Are You Thirsty?

What is your very favorite thing to drink? Talk about that with your family. Now, imagine playing outside on a very hot day and then running inside. You see a big, tall glass of your favorite drink sitting on the counter. Think about how thirsty you would be for that drink! That is how Jesus wants us to thirst after doing the right thing.

Now, this verse does not tell us that we have to be perfect all the time (because God’s love for us never depends on how good we are, right?). It means that if we hunger and thirst for what’s right— if we really, truly want to do right—He will help us.

Dear Lord, help me remember that You care not only about what I do for You but also about what is inside my heart. Please give me a hunger and a thirst to be righteous and to do the right thing. And thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Can you say this by heart?

God’s Word is for me and to me, it is in me and working through me, and just like His love, it goes on and on forever!