Delight Yourself in the Lord…Because He Delights in You
“Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow into (complete) salvation.” – 1 Peter 2:2
During a Bible study with our JESUS film team in Mexico, we discussed the meaning of that verse. A medical doctor in our group pointed out that the verse read “newborn babies,” not babies. He said that he had delivered more than 180 babies in his lifetime, and the only thing that newborn babies desire is the milk from their mothers’ breast. They could not live without it. The mother’s milk nourishes them physically, while at the same time, they are being nurtured emotionally, because they are being held, cuddled and loved, while being fed.
Life Lesson: Time management
Are you still growing spiritually?: Check your compass and let God lead you
A mother delights in her child. I often observed my daughter, Val, when she was nursing one of her babies. During those moments, her eyes reflected the tender adoration of one who is still amazed at the wonder and miracle of a newborn babe. A mother will give her life to protect this little child.
We are urged to desire the Word as newborn babes desire their mothers’ milk. We, too, receive nourishment, but for our souls. And even more than an earthly mother, our heavenly Father delights in us. He “loves us with an everlasting love.” We receive the love and protection (cuddling, if you will) every person desires. And, like a baby, we will never be spiritually or emotionally healthy without spiritual and emotional nourishment from God.
Is it any wonder that the enemy of our souls uses every tactic to keep us from spending time with our heavenly Father and His Word? If he succeeds, our growth is sure to be stunted. We become handicapped, emotionally and spiritually. This can affect our physical health.
I was told of an experiment with newborn babies whose parents had abandoned them to an orphanage. They were fed and changed, but were denied any form of human tenderness. Many of these babies died. Babies, it would seem, cannot live without affection. As adults, it doesn’t matter how independent we appear to be; we never outgrow that need for love.
God yearns to show us how much He loves us. We only have to receive it from Him.
Are you secure in God’s love for you? Do you have a need for love and intimacy?
God wants to be our leverage in living, empowering us to feel better about ourselves, more excited about our future, more grateful for those we love and more enthusiastic about our faith.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to help you live life according to His perfect plan. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:
Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
