“As A Weaned Child”

AUGUST 13, 2024

 “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)

To be weaned is the first great trying experience that a child goes through after birth. It is a necessary step to ensure the child’s growth and proper development; and one that requires commitment and patience on the part of the mother. While being weaned, the child is fretful, restless, and discontented. Because of a loss of security, he experiences fearfulness and feelings of uncertainty. The child is denied something it wants and cannot understand why. Yet, trying as it is, weaning a child is not an option, if we are to expect proper growth both physically and psychologically.

When weaned, the child becomes quiet and contented. It also learns self-control and trust. The Psalmist likens his soul’s experience to that of a child that has been weaned. How wonderful to know that we are God’s children at all! Yet the Psalmist speaks of a very desirous spiritual condition when he says, “My soul is even as a weaned child.”

It is only natural for a baby to seek nourishment at its mother’s breast. But if he never rises above that he cannot grow to maturity. Mother’s milk is the absolute perfect food; the perfect diet, for a newborn babe, just as the “sincere milk of the word” is desirable for spiritual newborns. (I Pet. 2:2) Peter says that it is good for growth: “that ye may grow thereby.” But, with Paul, we have cause for concern when believers who should have long advanced beyond the rudimentary principles of the faith, still “have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” (Heb. 5:12)

The Psalmist is speaking of the practical aspects of the growth and development that comes from being weaned to advance on to spiritual maturity. Spiritually, we become weaned when we are able to rise above fleshly tendencies. In verse one, he alludes to pride. “My heart is not haughty.” We are all proud by nature, though we have nothing to be proud of. Pride causes most of our discontentment and friction. A sign that he had been weaned was his humility. Have we been so weaned?

Ambition is also overcome. “Neither do I exercise myself in great matters.” We all naturally want to be somebody; we want to do great things. Ambition is not altogether bad but often we feel small things are beneath us. The Psalmist obviously felt that his ambitions had been related to an unweaned, immature spirit. Let us be content to be and do what God wants for us.

Freedom from speculation, “or in things too high for me,” was also a result of the weaning process. Mature Christians will not involve themselves in wild speculations about what God has not revealed in His Word. Let us remember that “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us…” (Deut. 29:29) Once weaned, the Psalmist ceased to speculate about mysterious providences; neither did he try to theorize concerning the heart motives of others. May we all exhibit this level of spiritual maturity.

When a child is weaned, he is content in his new circumstances. He gives up natural food for that which is better. This may be a trial at first, but afterward becomes a greater delight. When a child is weaned, he conquers his natural desires, and learns new trusts. “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself.” Let us not be perpetual babes. To feed ourselves, walk on our own, and make wise choices for ourselves is most desirable for God’s children.