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

I pray that you have had a blessed day of worship with the saints of God on the Lord’s Day. One of the most exciting times in a parent’s life is the birth of a child. Then comes the increase of love and concern to see them grow and become healthy. Some indicators of healthy development and growth are the child’s height, weight, and appetite. Though the late night and early morning feedings may be tiring and wearisome, it delights the parent to see their child grow and develop. The scripture passage reminds us that the child of God is like “newborn babes” and we grow and develop by “the milk of the word.” The first development activity for a newborn child is to nurse on the milk of a bottle or its mother. Once the child tastes the goodness of the milk, an immediate appetite for the milk begins and they let you know when they hunger for more. The baby needs the milk to sustain it physically and the child of God needs the word of God to grow and sustain life spiritually. As the milk calms and quietens the fear of hunger within the child, so the word of God quietens and calms the spirit of the child of God with the peace of God and rest that delights the soul (Prov 29:17). Yet as the babe develops a strong appetite, so they grow stronger and healthier. And so it is with the child of God that has “tasted that the Lord is gracious” they develop and “desire the pure milk of the word,” and “may grow thereby” with strength to stand in the word and walk by faith. Dear friend, the word of God is more precious than gold and “sweeter…than honey” (Ps 19:10). His word is able to keep you in “perfect peace” in troubled times (Isa 26:3), give you calm in the greatest storms (Mk 4:39), “strengthen, and settle you” (1 Pet 5:10) with peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7). So my friend, delight yourself in the Lord and develop an appetite for “the pure milk of the word” and He will give you the desires of your heart (Ps 37:4) “that you may grow thereby.” Father thank You for Your love and the delight of Your word. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.