TASTE AND SEE

EXTENDED READING: PSALM 34

DEVOTIONAL READING: VERSE 8

“O TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD; HOW BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO TAKES REFUGE IN HIM.”

As fall had begun, my mind took me back to a day when I was offered a slice of sweet potato pie rather than the pumpkin pie I loved and was accustomed to. I politely declined the kind offer but was quickly met with a forceful, “O, just taste it, and see how good it is.” With some reluctance, I tasted the pie. AND I LOVED IT! Since then, I have not stopped telling others about sweet potato pie.

This memory got me thinking about this verse and what it means to “taste” something. This psalm is a call by David to the whole assembly to praise the Lord for His goodness. For hearing him when he cried out to the Lord, deliverance from his fears, and for delivering the lowly from their troubles (v.6).

The Lord shows His goodness towards us as well, repeatedly, and that should compel us, as it did with David, to tell others about His goodness to those who trust in Him.

The word “taste” is used in two senses in the old and new testaments—the experience of the taste of food. And figuratively, the conscious experience of a different reality. This call is an invitation to turn to God and experience the benefits of a right relationship with Him.

I L-O-V-E sweet potato pie, and I encourage you to try it. BUT there is nothing that compares to having a right relationship with God through the atoning work of Christ on the cross. His “goodness” was made evident on the cross, where: “He should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9).

PRAYER: Just as David did, so do we. We praise you for your unending goodness to those who trust in you. Thank you for being faithful when we struggle, for meeting our needs over and over again, and for saving us from our sin. Those who look unto you will never be ashamed. Amen