Crave The Word

November 20

Ezekiel 47-48

Psalm 126

Proverbs 27:25-27

1 Peter 2:1-10

Crave The Word

“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”  1 Peter 2:2-3 LSB

Looking back over the seasons of my life, I can see that the times when I was actively studying God’s Word and setting aside time to spend with Him every day, were the times when my life was characterized by greater spiritual growth and development.  I’m not suggesting that they were always easy times, actually, often they were the times when my circumstances were difficult and life was hard.  But in the difficulty there was an unmistakable sense of His presence with me.  I needed Him desperately so I made it a priority to seek Him and study His Word for wisdom and direction.  Those were times when I experienced tremendous spiritual growth and He was able to develop my faith.  By contrast, the times when things were relatively easy I often didn’t prioritize time with Him and therefore, didn’t experience the same level of intimacy in my relationship with Him or as much spiritual growth.   I was distracted by the cares and responsibilities of life and didn’t experience the benefits of His closeness.  Even though my circumstances were not as difficult, I don’t remember having the joy and peace I recall in the harder seasons. 

A newborn baby cries when it is hungry because it craves the nourishment and refreshment of his mama’s milk.  It isn’t satisfied until it is fed.  Peter encouraged us to crave God’s Word in the same way.  This desire to be fed by God’s Word doesn’t come naturally.  Our sinful nature desires entertainment.  God’s Word provides nourishment for our soul and nutrition for our mind and heart.   Desire for His Word is born out of discipline and commitment.  At first, studying the Bible is hard, difficult to understand and seems like too much work, but the more time we devote to it, the pieces will start coming together and we will be able to grasp the more difficult truths.  As that happens, we begin to get to know God and understand the depths of His lovingkindness toward us.  The more we get to know Him, the more we want to know Him so we long for time alone with Him studying His Word.  It doesn’t happen overnight.  Spiritual growth is a process of maturing in our faith and becoming more like Christ that happens throughout our lives.  We will never reach the point where we are finished growing until we get to Heaven.  As long as we have breath, His desire is that we continue to develop and mature.  “Tasting” suggests the idea of sampling like at Sam’s Club when they have the stations all over the store to give you a sample hoping that you will want more so you’ll buy the product.  When we taste the goodness and blessings we receive from reading and studying God’s Word, it makes us want more and more.  Do you crave God’s Word and the nourishment it provides?