A Weaned Child
Today’s Verse:
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. ~Psalm 131:2
The weaning of a child is when a nursing mother gradually moves the child from being dependent upon being nursed to where he is capable of feeding on his own. It is a necessity in order for a child to adapt to growth and maturity. In weaning a child, the mother is withdrawing dependence of the child from the mother for his food. David uses the idea of weaning to teach us about being humble, responsible, and teachable, especially during a time of difficulty and trial.
We see an essential practice.
“Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.” Weaning is not an easy, overnight accomplishment. It is done gradually over time through detachment and withdrawal. David is using the metaphor of weaning to describe the spiritual state of his soul. He is saying that he has learned that he needs to accept responsibility for his spiritual decisions and steps. Growing in the Christian life is not easy. He realized that he needed to stop acting like an infant that is immature and cries when he does get his way. He has learned to behave and quiet himself as a child that is weaned. A weaned child learns to wait and be disciplined on an eating schedule. In like manner, a soul that is weaned as a child learns to wait on God and develop proper spiritual discipline.
We see an excellent principle.
“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts,” Isa. 28:9. Immature Christians are encouraged to desire the sincere milk of God’s Word. This represents the basic building blocks of the faith. However, every believer is exhorted not to keep eating the milk of the Word, but to mature by eating the meat of the Word. Eating meat builds our spiritual muscle. Eating meat gives discernment to your senses in knowing right from wrong. God says that those who are teachable and can understand doctrine are those who have been weaned from being nursed. Are you a Christian who has learned to build your soul by spending time in quiet, studying God’s Word on your own? Or, are you a Christian whose only source of spiritual nourishment is being fed from the preaching service once a week? You won’t grow and become strong until you go through the spiritual weaning process.
We see the encouraged product.
“Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.” When we have been spiritually weaned, we learn how great God is, and how little we are. We learn we have nothing to boast about, and that anything good about us is a gift from God. We don’t try to act like spiritual big-shots, bully other Christians around, or act like we are kings in other people’s lives. David was the king of Israel when he wrote this psalm. Spiritually, he realized that his life on earth was not to make a great name for himself and pursue great endeavors for his glory. He realized that he was on earth to serve others by the will of God, and be used to accomplish God’s purposes. Whatever vision God gives us is for His glory. Whatever great events that occur happen so that our faith honors God.
When we are like a weaned child in our soul, we realize that we are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and He will exalt us in due time. As a weaned child in our soul, we more fully understand how God gives us more grace and sustains us when we are weak.
Are you still dependent upon someone to nurse your soul? Start the weaning process, and taste and see that the Lord is good.
Have a teachable God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Isaiah 1-4