“…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
1 Pet 2:2-3
Newborns aren’t very complicated creatures. If you lay them down, you don’t have to worry about them running off. You don’t have to educate them, run them back and forth to baseball practice, or make sure they brush their teeth. They don’t question your decisions or complain about what you made for dinner. They have basic needs, and if those needs are met, everybody’s happy. It’s been said, “they eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom.” Pretty simple life!
When it comes to our desire for God, these newborns are our pattern! We need to eat, and, as our text tells us, our food is the word of God. Babies eat constantly when awake! Are we satisfied with a little word in the morning and evening, or do we need God to feed us with His truth all day long? And are we okay with studying God’s word without getting much out of it? That’s like a baby nursing but not getting any milk! Will he be satisfied with such an experience? No way! He’ll cry out until he’s nourished. Likewise, we should never be content with mere study but should cry out until the Lord reveals Himself! “As the deer pants for the water brooks,So pants my soul for You, O God.” (Ps 42:1)
Babies spend much of their early life sleeping. They have little strength and so require continual rest. Have you realized your lack of strength yet? Do you agree wholeheartedly when Christ states “without Me you can do nothing“? In light of our great weakness, we must rest, and will we find such rest anywhere other than Jesus Christ? ” Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11:28-29) This rest is unparalleled. It is rest for our souls! All the money in the world can’t buy such peace. It “surpasses all understanding.” (Ph 4:7)
Finally, if that newborn’s not eating or sleeping, it’s probably time to change his diaper! Babies are frequently ridding themselves of waste, that which is of no nutritional value. So should we! Our lives should be in a constant state of purging. There is much that is in us that is of no profit and needs to go if we will be conformed to His image. As 1 Jn 3:3 says, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” If the goal is to be holy as He is holy, there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done, isn’t there? This race isn’t an easy one, and if we will finish strong, we must “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”. (Heb 12:1) I promise you won’t miss anything you give up for Christ’s sake!
I hope I’ve just described you, dear soul for this pattern typifies those that have “tasted that the Lord is gracious!” These activities evidence you’re spiritually alive, that you’ve experienced the new birth. For those of you that nodded in agreement as you read these words, keep hungering. The Lord will never disappoint. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” (Mt 5:6)
Jamie