Hope in the Sustainer
By: Patty Nicholas-Boyte
1 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB)
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 and 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.
Because of all we’ve learned so far, that is . . . we can trust God at his Word, we can know He will keep His promises. Because, as we’ve also learned, the power given to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to love one another as Jesus loved us. In light of those truths, we are to put aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
Not only does the word of God provide us as with imperishable truth as a guide, the Word also provides us with sustenance for the soul. We are to be like newborn babies and crave and devour the Word like the baby craves milk. When we feast on the Word, then as a baby grows, we too will grow in our walk with the Lord.
Verse 3 says, “…if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” This verse tells us that if we’ve tasted God’s goodness, then He will enable us to do all the things listed. He is our sustainer.
Psalm 54:3-5
For strangers have risen against me And violent men have sought my life;
They have not set God before them. Selah
4 Behold, God is my helper;
The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. 5 He will pay back the evil to my enemies;
Destroy them in Your faithfulness.
Peter also tells the way to fervently love one another from the heart is to live in obedience to the Truth, which is often used as one of the names of Jesus. We have hope in knowing that Jesus is not only the Word of God, but He is also the embodiment of Truth on earth. The scripture is true because Jesus is truth.
John 14: 5-6 (NASB)
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.
What can we learn from 1st Peter?
· We have the ability, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to put off malice, deceit, hypocrisy and slander. When we feel these negative emotions rising up, call on the Holy Spirit to help.
· Jesus is the Word of God. Make time to read the Bible every day to remain in close relationship with Him.
· Long for the Word like babies long for milk as life giving sustenance.
· Pass on the goodness and kindness we’ve received from God to others.
Psalm 34:7-9 (NASB)
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 Fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no lack of anything.
What questions can we ask ourselves that can affect change?
- What can I do to better meditate on scripture day and night so it will penetrate my heart?
- What is preventing me from longing for the Word like a newborn baby longs for milk?
- What can I do to increase my appetite for the Word?
- In what way am I showing kindness and love to others? In what way am I not showing love and kindness to others?