Page 2 - Our Food: The Word of God - February 2018 - Truth & Tidings

need of milk, and not of strong meat.” The should instinctively crave the sincere (or
Hebrews were compared to infants who guileless, pure) milk of the Word of God.
required milk and could not bear meat The Word of God provides all the es-
(solid food). This is the same thought sential food required to live and grow spiri-
found in 1 Corinthians 3:2 where spiritual tually, as a mother’s milk contains all the
immaturity is in view. It is a serious condi- vital nutrients for the newborn babe. At the
tion when any believer continues as an in- moment of conversion, we were “born
fant, able only to receive milk when they again, not of corruptible seed, but of incor-
should be eating solid food. ruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth

Bread to SUSTAIN: (Matthew 4:4, and abideth for ever” (1Peter 1:23, KJV).
KJV) “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by His Word brought us spiritual enlighten-
bread alone, but by every word that pro- ment at conversion, and it is by that same
ceedeth out of the mouth of God.’” Word that we continue to be fed as
Honey to SWEETEN: The Psalmist Christians. However, while every child
David says that the Word of God is “More born of God has an instinctive desire for
to be desired … than gold, yea, than much the Word, this must also be cultivated. The
fine gold” (Psa 19:10, KJV). His Words are more we feed upon it, the more we will de-
priceless in their value and sweeter than sire it.
honey to his taste: “Sweeter also than hon- DISCIPLINE OF FEEDING
ey and the honeycomb” (Psa 19:10, KJV;
see also Psalm 119:103). Just as physical nourishment is an on-
going daily activity, we also need a daily
Jeremiah describes the Word of God as
that which he ate: “Thy words were found, diet of spiritual food for our spiritual prog-
and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto ress. Job knew the importance of feeding
me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jer on the Word of God: “I have esteemed the
15:16, KJV). A well-fed believer is full of words of His mouth more than my neces-
the joy of the Lord! Ensure you don’t limit sary food” (Job 23:12b, KJV). He esteemed
your intake of food to a particular portion spiritual food, “the words of His mouth,” as
or aspect of the Word of God. Often believ- greater provision than the food he required
ers have favorite portions or themes but the for physical life. The word “esteemed” is
canon of scripture, in its entirety, is given often used for concealing or laying up trea-
for our spiritual development and is all nec- sures so that they are safe. The same word is
essary (2Tim 3:16-17). used in Psalm 119:11; “Thy word have I
hid in mine heart.” Although it is good to
DESIRE FOR FOOD read the Word of God, it must also be hid

The Bible introduces the figure of a in our hearts “that I might not sin against
newborn babe to illustrate that every per- Thee” (Psa 119:11, KJV).
son who is born of God will have a desire for Can this be said of us? How long do
His Word. “As newborn babes, desire the you spend feeding your soul on the Word
sincere milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2, KJV). of God? If you spent the same time each
The desire for milk in the infant is instinc- day satisfying your physical appetite as you
tive and continual. A child does not need to do feeding on the Scriptures, would you be
be taught to desire milk. So every believer losing or gaining weight?

2 TRUTH kTidings I The Believer and His Food