When I became a father for the first time, I noticed that my little fellow had a craving for food, specifically formula. In 1 Peter 2:2-3, we read these words: 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 

I realized quickly that a newborn’s hunger is a powerful instinct, not a polite request. The baby will cry until fed. The Apostle Peter uses a vivid image to describe a believer's spiritual appetite: just as a baby needs milk, we can't thrive without the spiritual nourishment of God's Word.

“Pure spiritual milk” refers to God’s truth, the teachings that nourish and cleanse us. Peter isn’t suggesting that we stay immature believers forever, but rather that we should never lose our intense, unfiltered desire for God’s Word.

Verse three tells us why we have this desire: “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” Peter is echoing King David in Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” This isn’t just a theory; it’s a personal experience. When we first put our faith in Jesus, we experienced God's goodness and kindness firsthand. That initial taste of God’s goodness should spark a deep and lasting hunger in us for more.

Our spiritual desires are connected to our spiritual experience. In simple terms, the more we experience God’s goodness, the more we crave His truth. As one person put it, this creates a virtuous cycle: We taste His goodness, it sparks our desire, and as we dive deeper into His Word, we grow and experience His goodness in fresh ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word, which nourishes our souls with spiritual milk. Forgive us for times when the world's junk food has tempted our appetites. Stir up in us the intense desire of a newborn for your truth. Help us never forget the sweetness of your goodness and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Come Grow with Us,

Gene

2 Peter 3:18