We Need a King for Our Nation – Part 2

Good Day to each of you reading this column on a King for our nation. Part 1 can be found here.

I do hope that each of you have taken time to read God’s word daily and receive your feeding from the Spirit.

As a Christian, we need to be fed daily by God’s word and it is a pleasure to read his word and receive enlightenment and to be molded into him image. Folks, if you need a role model, and I am talking to adults and children, what better role model that Jesus Christ.

Let’s take a few moments and read God’s word on the matter of Spiritual Food—

Turn to 1 Peter 2:2,3—(KJV) As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby, If so be ye tasted that the Lord is gracious. Let’s utilize the Wycliffe Bible Commentary (p.1446) As newborn babes, desire. The Greek words suggest the voracious, hungry impatience of a baby at its mealtime. Peter urges the newborn ones to cultivate a healthy appetite for this word, which, while mighty, is simple or unadulterated (translated, sincere) and elementary, like milk. In this way his readers will grow “unto salvation.” These latter words, found in some of the best manuscripts, refer to the believer’s ultimate deliverance (cf. 1: 5,13). If so ye be tasted. Here is another reminder of the grace they have already experienced (cf. Ps 34:8).

Upon review of the above contents: Do you have a voracious appetite for the word of God? Do you use “skim milk” or just skim the word of God? No pun intended. The NIV version of 1 Peter 2:2 puts it simply that the need for milk is a natural instinct for a baby and it signals the desire for nourishment that will lead to growth. Once we see our need for God’s word and begin to find nourishment in Christ, our spiritual appetite will increase, and we will start to mature. How strong is your desire for God’s word? Has your spiritual appetite increased? Are you challenged daily to dig deeper in the word of God? Have progressed from the milk to the meat of the word of God?

Turn to 1 Corinthians 3:2 (KJV)—I have you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now ye are able.

Keep your finger on the above verse and go to the “double witness” verses Hebrews 5: 12-14 (KJV) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the Oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For everyone that useth milk, is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Let’s break down the above verses from the 1611 version of the King James Version and find out together on how we can grow in the word and make the transition from the milk to the meat of the word of God.

As we look at 1 Corinthians 3:2, I looked at various versions and chose Smith & Goodspeed 1939 which says I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. Why, you are not ready for it now, for you are still worldly.

Here, is a question, upon reading the word of God, do you have intervening thoughts while reading the word or are you interrupted by outside interferences? We know that Satan and his workers are very busy imposing their thoughts, actions and will upon us Christians and we must put on the armor of God—Turn to Ephesians 6: 10-20 to help you in your fight.

Now, let’s turn to Hebrew 5: 12-14 (NIV) In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

So, what does the above verses have to do with a King? Nothing, but it has everything to do with each of us—Do you wish to be a babe or mature and grow in the word of God? Have we learned and apply discernment in our lives? Are you tempted, and can you recognize temptation before you are trapped? Do you distinguish between good and evil?

I wish to finish this lesson by utilizing Ephesians 6:10-20—Please read these important verses on putting on the armor of God. God has answer for every question, every situation and every day walk of life.

The verse today is very simple: Philippians 4:13—I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

I will prepare my lesson on the King shortly, but the above lesson was on my mind and I was moved to share this lesson with each of you in the hopes of growing in Christ.

May God Bless You and keep you safely in his shelter.

Jeff