As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of God’s word, that ye may grow thereby: [1Peter 2:2]

God desires so much for all His children (all who belongs to Him) to grow. He doesn’t accept stagnancy for any reason neither will He tolerate any excuse for not growing.
God is not a stagnant God. He is unlimited. You can’t finish Him. There is so much treasure in Him and all the treasures in Him is what He is keeping in store for His children to consume. They are not there for fancy but, for consummation. When you refuse to play your part in desiring those treasures, the treasures will still be secured and can’t get to you. Yes, God is desirous for all His own to grow in Him but, He can only help you to achieve that only if there is that hunger in you. He cannot force it on any man.

As newborn babes, desire…

When a man does not have desire for something when you offer it to him, he will not appreciate it. God is waiting for men who are desirous (hungry) for the treasures kept for them by Him before He can release to them. Yes, the treasures are yours as His child but when you don’t desire/long after it, it still remains as if you don’t have part in it. You can be short of those treasures because there is no push in you towards it.
The only thought or thing that could ever happen to a new born baby is cry for food. That is the first natural action he can ever do in life. God is beckoning on you to desire His word like that.

What does it mean to desire?

To desire means to wish for earnestly, to entreat, or to request. Your refusal/ failure to do this is what hinders you from getting all the things that is kept in store for you. What do you long for as a Christian? Are they perishable things, all the non-essentials, or all the things that does not glorify God? Is that what you waste your time for?

…desire the sincere milk of the word,…

There is food for growth and that food is God’s word that can make you to grow in Him. What God wants all His children to long for is His word. His word is sincere, it is not faked. His word is essential for growth and for life. His word is blessed and can bless your life. His word can satisfy all your needs in life. His word is durable, great, and eternal. His word is unlimited, it never finishes neither, does it run dry. His word is standard, it doesn’t fade away. His word is unchangeable, never fails and perfect. His word is all that a man need in life.
When you leave His word and begin to chase after other things rather than Him it pains Him dearly. It pains Him because that is the treasure He has kept and secured for you. He values His word so much and is expecting same from you.
To desire for His word is a deliberate action you must take otherwise you can’t get anything. You will be deprived of all the treasures (Matthew 5:6 GNT).

…that you may grow thereby:

The word of God is the food for your soul. Whatever you are pursuing in life and it does not tarry with His word, you are simply displeasing Him. Anything that you are doing and it is not in line with God’s word, that thing is totally against God’s will. Whenever He look at you He wants to see His word manifesting in your life.
His word is what will make you grow into maturity in Him. The more you feed on His word is the more you will grow in Him (especially in your personal time with Him) Luke 4:4. Every word that proceeds from God’s mouth is not poison to kill but, is alive, strong and capable to keep you growing in Him. When you fail to feed on His word daily then you will to decay gradually which will eventually lead to your death (you will be no more alive in Christ).
God’s word is the manual that should guide your life. When you allow His word to direct the affairs of your life, you will not perish neither will you enter into errors (Psalm 119: 9-18).

How then can I grow in Him?

• Desire His word : When you desire/ long after God’s word that is what will drive you to appreciate it even when He offers it to you.
• Feed on His word: Without you feeding on His word you will remain dry. When you fed on God’s word it will begin to take its place in your life.
• Believe in His word: when a man believes in God’s word it helps His word to have great and positive effect in his life. To believe means to accept and trust in His word. A man that doubts God’s word is simply doubting God. He is saying that God is not true. That displeases God.
• Obey His word: Obedience brings blessing. Many people that obeyed were those that experienced God’s blessings (Luke 11:27-28).
• Live by His word: God is pleased with everyone or any man who live by His word. Endeavour to make God’s word your lifestyle everyday, anytime and in everywhere.

But He said, yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it [Luke 11:28 KJV].