In 1 Peter 2:2, the apostle says, “Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” (NASB)

A.T. Robertson, among other scholars, believed that the word “newborn” likely meant that Peter was writing to those who were new in the faith, “that they were recent converts.” I think Burton Coffman comes closer to the real meaning when he suggests that Peter is addressing “the appetite which all (emphasis mine, GCK) Christians should have in order to grow.” Why, then, did Peter, by inspiration, choose to illustrate the desire of the Christian for God’s word with a “newborn babe” and that babies’ longing for milk?

I must confess that I am, in almost every way, a “junkfood junkie!” I admit with some embarrassment that I am not always careful about my daily diet, and as a result I have struggled with my weight off and on for many years. I have to battle various “food cravings” from time to time, like I’m sure most everyone does. I can’t ever remember, however, fighting a craving for broccoli! Never one time have I, late at night, made my way to the kitchen because I just couldn’t stop thinking about that bowl of Brussels sprouts in the refrigerator left over from supper! What about you? Do you ever find yourself struggling to find ways to help you overcome an intense craving for salad with nonfat dressing? I didn’t think so.

My problem—and I suspect that it is pretty much a universal one—is that my cravings in the food world are almost always directed toward things which aren’t good for me, things which have no real nutritional value at all.

The same problem can exist among those of us who, as Christians, know what is really good for us, but who end up giving in to cravings for “junk food” instead. What I mean by that is that we find ourselves “longing for” the wrong things (i.e., TV, movies, sports, games, etc.) – not necessarily “bad” things, but things that have no real nutritional value in the realm of spiritual things that are really good for us.

Genuine godliness always has been marked by a love for and a delight in God’s Word.

• John 8:47 – “He who is of God hears the words of God.”
• Job 23:12 – “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”
• Psalm 19:10 – “They [referring to the teachings of God’s Word] are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.”
• Psalm 40:8 – “I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is within my heart.”

It has always been characteristic of believers to rejoice in the Word of God. Let me ask you a question. Do the words in these verses reflect the way you feel? Is the law of God more desirable to you than gold? Is it sweeter to you than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb? The word in our text translated “long for” carries with it the idea of desire, to have a yearning for, or longing after.

It is the same word used in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament in Psalm 42:1, where David describes the deer who “pants for the water brooks.” Paul uses the word seven times in his writings: twice to refer for his longing for an effective ministry (Romans 1:11; Phil. 1:8); four times to refer to the intense longing that believers should have for one another (2 Cor. 9:14; Phil. 2:26; 1 Thess. 3:6; 2 Tim. 1:4); and once to describe his longing for heaven (2 Cor. 9:14).

I become concerned when we, as God’s children, do not elevate God’s Word to its proper place. We must have a “newborn’s” craving for the Word of God, unadulterated and uncontaminated. Have we somehow misplaced that love for God’s Word? If you are hungering for the pure milk of the Word then praise God. But if this is not true of you right now, but rather you have seen a gradual diminishing of your interest in God’s word, then you need to be working diligently on renewing that “newborn” longing.

As Christians, we must remain aware that we are all being tested from without and within. Let us not in the midst of these tests forget the power of God’s Word. It was through the Word of God that the physical world came into existence. And it is through the Word of God that any of us will achieve salvation. If we know its power we will not going to allow ourselves to be distracted by all the “junk food” of this world. May we be resolved to cling to God’s word with a “newborn” passion that will be pleasing to the Lord.