Proverbs of a 41 yr. old man

Like a weaned child is my soul within me. Think about what the word "weaned" means. Let me give you a working definition on this: to accustom (a young child or animal) to take food otherwise than by nursing. To detach from a source of dependence. To be free from a usually unwholesome habit or interest. King David used this word in Psalm 131 to describe his contentment in the LORD. Listen to verse 2, Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. Amen. Does this not remind you of our spiritual birth in Christ? Born again into the hands of our Heaven Father being perfected to the Image of Christ daily. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. Yes, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Amen.

And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” As we experience this newborn born again experience, we are called to mature in our faith. Just like a child is weaned from his mother to eat solid food and grow physically. So, we as born-again believers are called to maturity and spiritual growth. Look at Hebrews 5 starting in verse 11: There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. Amen. Stop there really quick. Think about that. There is so much God has for us, but He is waiting to for us to mature and grow in our faith. Ok, let's keep going verse 12: You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Amen. So, let's recap, Christ saves us from a life of sin and death into a life of spirit and life. Born again we start to crave the Word of God Christ Himself. As we grow in relationship with Jesus we are being fed spiritual milk, a first love kind of craving in us His Righteousness. Loved by our Heavenly Father we gain sonship and acceptance. But the Father does not leave us there, He wants to perfect us in making us more like Jesus. He who begun a good work in you will continue it till the day He comes again. Amen. This is where the weaning comes in from what King David spoke about in Psalms 131. Once we are growing and maturing in Christ, we clench not for spiritual milk but for the embrace of God instead. I think Spurgeon, one of the great pastors and authors of church history, said it best. Let me close with his words and reflection: The process of weaning may seem strange and terrible to the child, but it is necessary for the child’s development. The weaned child comes to realize that the denial of one of the mother’s gifts does not mean denial of the mother’s presence. He comes to love the mother herself instead of the gift received from her. He is no longer angry with his mother but buries his head in that very bosom after which he pinned so grievously: he is weaned on his mother rather than from her.” (Spurgeon) Weaned from what? Self-sufficiency, self-will, self-seeking. From creatures and the things of the world – not, indeed, as to their use, but as to any dependence upon them for his happiness and portion.” (Spurgeon). Lamentations 3:24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”