6 Minute Read
Be Still
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply, to quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, prayerfully ask the Lord to speak to you in this time and let Him know that you will be listening and will make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Today’s Bible Reading:
Ezekiel 45:13–46:24
1 Peter 1:13–2:10
Psalm 119:33-48
Proverbs 28:11
Listen to the Lord
Slowly and reflectively read the following verses and listen to what God will say to you through them. Then, consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
1 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT): “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”
Reflections from Scripture:
As I reflected on today’s reading in 1 Peter, I came across 1 Peter 2:2-3 and saw it in a new light. Previously, I had always thought that when Peter was referring to the “pure spiritual milk,” he was focused solely upon the Word of God. I thought that the message he was conveying was limited to the following: “Crave time in the Word just like a newborn baby craves milk.”
But, then I read the next verse…
1 Peter 2:3 (NLT): “now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”
Clearly, the analogy of craving milk in verse 2 is related to the notion in verse 3 that the readers had “had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”
So, what is the “milk” in verse 2 referring to? What (or who) are believers to crave?
Clearly, from verse 3, we realize that it is Jesus that we are to crave. While we desire time in God’s Word, our Bible time is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end. The ultimate purpose of our Bible time is to know Jesus more and to become more like Him.
So, once again, we find that Scripture calls us to enjoy our God. To love Him. To crave Him like a baby craves milk. And as a result of spending time with Him and knowing Him more, to become more like Him.
Friend, are you simply going through the motions of religious activity? If so, it will be dull, and lifeless, and uninspiring.
But, if you grab hold of the concept in 1 Peter 2:2-3 and see that you have been invited into a relationship with the Trinity, manifested to us in the person of Jesus, then the remainder of your life becomes an adventure.
1 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT): “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”
Spend Time in Prayer
Lord Jesus, help to develop an insatiable desire to enjoy Your Word as a means of getting to know You more and becoming like You. I will also do my part in cultivating these desires. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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