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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).

Newborn Babies
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.

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.

Nourishment for our Souls
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.

LORD, because You provide everything we require, fill us with the craving to spend time with You and the Word...more than newborn babies crave their mother's milk. Amen.

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~ Katherine has been a staff member with  Power to Change Canada for 30 years. She has launched and developed many successful ministries, including  Canadian Prayer Alert, Women In Leadership, Women Today, Women Today Magazine and Women Today Online. Katherine has written and published a book, When Dreams Come True:  Women Today Online. She serves as the director for www.secretsofsuccess.com.