“Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me” (Ps. 131:2 NKJ).
This verse shows us how to progress from an attitude of getting things from the Lord to a desire to simply be near Him for the sheer pleasure of His presence. A weaned child takes nothing from his mother, yet he still seeks the comfort of being near her loving heart.
The Apostle Peter spoke of us as new-born babes (1 Pet. 2:2). He admonishes us to desire the sincere milk of the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews goes on to describe the difference between babes in Christ who feed on milk and those mature saints who feed on the solid food of the meat of the Word (Heb. 5:12-14).
The weaning process occurs when the child is no longer sufficiently nourished by the mother’s milk. He is then given food that must be chewed. Mastication (chewing) is part of the growing up process and has spiritual significance.
The psalmist is saying to us here: “As a baby, I wanted to be close to my mother because she nursed me. As I grew, however, I learned to eat for myself. I still wanted to be close to my mother, but not for what she could provide for me materially.
“In the same way, as a spiritual baby I once sought the Lord for what He could give me. Now I seek Him for no other reason than to be close to Him, to be in His blessed presence. My happiness in the Lord is not dependent upon what He gives or does for me; rather, my contentment comes from being near Him like a weaned child resting on his mother’s comforting bosom.”
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.