Crave

Text: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Theme: Our responsibility is to turn away from evil and desire spiritual nourishment.

Key verses: “So get ride of all evil behavior…Like newborn babies, you must crave 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” (v. 1-3).

What God said to me: Good morning! So good to meet you early this morning during your vacation time in GA. I love our times together. Like the old Larnelle Harris song said, “I miss my time with you–those moments together.” Your making time for me and to read my Word this morning is a prime example of what Peter was speaking of in this passage. Only, you must be consistent to meet with me often. My Word does not explicitly say it has to be every day that you read the Bible and pray. It’s not supposed to be a legalistic thing. I didn’t include such a decree in my commandments to the Israelites. None of the prophets or Jesus or the NT writers ever said you have to meet with me daily. Nonetheless, there are multiple examples of people in scripture who most likely did make time for me on a daily basis–Enoch, Elijah, David, Daniel, Jesus, Peter, and Paul, to name a few. What’s more, there are several verses that elude to a constant, even daily, communion with me. Bottom line is that you can’t “pray without ceasing” unless you’re praying each and every day. Think of this: How often do babies drink milk from their mothers? How often do humans desire physical food? Every day, correct? In fact, they’re not content with eating only one time per day. Kids and grown-ups alike get hungry and want to eat more than once a day. Do you see the subtle but not-so-subtle parrallel in my Word? I shouldn’t have to demand that you study my Word and pray to me. You should want to. Jesus told the disciples, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me.” Jesus was saying He was more satisfied by doing my will than he could ever be by eating physical food. Does that describe you, Dwayne? Do you desire spiritual sustenance to that degree? Do you find satisfaction in doing my will and in communing with me? If not, why not? Peter said you should “cry out” for it and crave it. Why? So you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Abundant life, Dwayne–that is what awaits you if and when you make time for me each day.

What I said to God: Lord, I am busted. I have no where to hide and nothing to say that can excuse my failings to desire Your Word and crave it in my life. I do read Your Word each day. By Your grace, I’ve developed and maintained that habit since I was a child. Yet, there are days (yesterday, for example) when I read and  pray more out of duty than heart-felt devotion. Please forgive me for that. I want to know You, Lord, in the power of Your resurrection and the fellowship of Your sufferings. Please help me not be content with my “level” of spirituality. I have so far to go. I am but a child in many ways. Help me never stop growing into the man You want and need me to be, to fulfill Your will and calling in my life.