“. . . 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
At first when I read this verse, I thought the connection that Peter made between food and the Bible was impactful and life changing to how we should view the sacred words of God. Looking at this passage on the surface, it importantly emphasizes the vitality that is given by reading and digging deep into the word of the Lord on a daily basis. The Bible is like food. What happens to you if you don’t have food on a daily basis? Your attitude changes and you become more negative, your body weakens, it is more difficult to complete daily tasks, and eventually you will die. In the same way, if you are not engaged in the Word of the Lord daily, you become weak spiritually and it is more difficult to live your life in a God honoring way. This verse is a reminder that, just like food, the word helps you “grow” spiritually. Without food, you will die. Without the word of the Lord you will become spiritually dead. Have you ever thought of the Bible as that integral to your life?
Now, looking past the surface and deeper into the passage you can see that Peter promises through the Spirit of God that if you sustain yourself on the pure milk of the Word, you will grow spiritually BECAUSE through reading, experiencing and being nourished off of the Word of God, you will begin to fathom and taste your salvation. What an amazing promise! By reading the Bible daily, you will experience a TASTE of what is to come! Imagine being hungry and only being able to take one bite of your favorite kind of food. That one taste will make your mouth water and will go towards fulfilling your hunger (although not in its entirety), but it will also cause you to desire more. A daily dose and taste for God’s Word will give your heart an anticipation and an expectation for Christ. It will fix your eyes on our unchanging God and will challenge you to live a life mirrored after Jesus. Are you ‘eating’ and becoming nourished from this spiritual food that God has provided? Have you tasted and then, as a result, seen God through His Word today?
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8
Written by: Justine Boles
Refined Joy 