Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Maturity


Portals of Prayer - A Daily Devotion from Concordia Publishing House

Start your day with faith-filled daily devotions. Each reading leads you to the foot of the cross with Scripture, prayer, and a life-applicable message.

Devotional Reading for:
8/29/2006

Associated Scripture Readings:
Hebrews 5:12-14
Psalm 119:9-16

Maturity
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. Hebrews 5:13

My toddler grandson much prefers to continue to receive his nourishment by way of milk from his bottle. He has very little interest in solid foods and is quite comfortable with the method by which he has always eaten. His parents, however, recognize that he must begin to change his eating habits. He has sufficient teeth now, but he must develop a taste for new foods. He also must gain the patience required for chewing and for sitting through a meal.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that we are not to remain as infants in our faith. We need teeth to study God’s Word. With teething comes some discomfort, and we bear that discomfort as the Lord shows us our shortcomings by His Word. As we mature in faith, we move beyond our level of comfort to attain something better. Increased time spent in study of God’s Word develops a taste for the Word, which grows into a ravenous appetite. It does require time and some chewing, but the more time spent in meditation, the closer our walk with Jesus and the greater our joy in Him and His salvation.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word to guide and instruct us, to correct us, and to draw us closer to You; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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