Taste and See

10/08/2024

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
- Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

Here we have King David inviting us to experience God’s goodness firsthand. This verse is an invitation to not only know about God but to deeply experience His goodness, much like the way we savor food. You can’t truly understand how delicious something is until you take a bite. In the same way, you can’t fully understand God’s goodness until you trust Him, stepping out in faith to experience it.

Taste and See
To “taste and see” is an action. It requires us to step forward and engage with God personally. Think about the last time you were hesitant to try something new—maybe a dish from a foreign culture or a challenging situation in your life. You were unsure of the outcome, but once you stepped in, you may have been surprised by how much you enjoyed or learned from the experience. This is what David is encouraging us to do with God: step in, trust, and discover the richness of His presence.

God’s Goodness in the Everyday
God’s goodness is not just seen in grand miracles or answered prayers but also in the small, everyday moments. Consider how a random act of kindness from a stranger or the beauty of a sunset might remind you of His care. When we choose to “taste and see,” we begin to notice these moments more. God’s goodness surrounds us like air—we just need to pause and breathe it in.

I remember a time when I faced a difficult decision at work. I was asked by my boss to do something that was wrong and, if caught, I could go to jail. Although I knew the right thing to do, I still wasn’t sure how things would turn out, and the uncertainty caused a lot of stress. But when I handed the situation over to God, trusting Him even when I couldn’t see the outcome, I began to experience His peace. Looking back, I can clearly see how He was guiding me all along, though it wasn’t obvious at the time. This was my “taste and see” moment, God showed His goodness when I let go of control and trusted Him.

Taking Refuge in God
The second part of the verse says, “blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Taking refuge in God means we trust Him with our worries, fears, and struggles. We are blessed when we find our security in Him rather than in our circumstances. Think about the peace you feel when you’re safe from a storm, sheltered under a strong roof. God is that shelter for our souls in times of trial and uncertainty.

Are you facing a situation where you’re hesitant to trust God fully? Take that first step to “taste and see” by entrusting Him with your concerns today. Pause, pray, and ask God to reveal His goodness to you in the moments ahead. Look for the little blessings in your day, the ones that remind you that He is near and that He is good.

Lord, help me to trust You more deeply. Teach me to taste and see Your goodness in all areas of my life. When I am tempted to rely on my own strength, remind me that true blessing comes from taking refuge in You. Thank You for Your constant love and care. Amen.

Pastor Jeff

#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign