Today's Focus Scripture - 1 Peter 2:2-9 (Based on Jack Hayford's devotional)
2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For this is contained in Scripture:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,
“The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the very corner stone,”
8 and,
“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Jack Hayford's Devotional
Nourishment
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2
The Word of God has been given to us as the most basic requirement of our spiritual growth. Regular reading and consistent study are to us as milk is to an infant, providing us with nourishment for growth, liquid to quench our thirst, and antibodies to help us fight the disease of sin. Other Scriptures emphasize the importance of the Word as our principal source of spiritual nourishment. Job 23:12 encourages us to prioritize the Word over all other distractions—even our most basic physical needs. We are admonished to consume more of the Word as we grow, just like a child whose need for food increases as he grows (Hebrews 5:12–14). And like an elated child who sees dinner being put on the table, Jeremiah exults that the Word was his source of joy (Jeremiah 15:16). As we open our Bibles today, we don’t need to be bashful! Let us eat until we are full! He has the banquet all prepared.
Scriptures from the devotional:
Job 23:12 “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Hebrews 5:12-14
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;
For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts
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