How can we "taste and see" the Lord's goodness in daily life? The Invitation to Experience “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8) Scripture speaks plainly and literally: God calls every believer to move beyond second-hand reports and personally savor His goodness. What “Taste and See” Means • Taste: a deliberate, firsthand sampling—actively taking in what God provides • See: recognizing and discerning His character as a present reality • Goodness: all that flows from God’s nature—His steadfast love, mercy, faithfulness, and perfect provision • Blessed: a settled happiness that comes from trusting Him as a refuge Daily Practices That Let Us Taste and See 1. Feed on the Word • Read it: set specific, unhurried times to open Scripture. • Memorize it: carry verses on cards or a phone screen. • Meditate: turn phrases over in your mind until they flavor your thoughts. —“How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103). 2. Pray with Expectation • Speak honestly, then pause to listen. • Track answered prayer in a journal; note every mercy, large or small. —“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). 3. Practice Gratitude • Begin and end each day listing blessings you notice. • Thank God aloud; praise turns observation into tasting. —“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). 4. Obey Promptly • Act on what Scripture or the Spirit brings to mind, even in small matters. • Obedience opens fresh experiences of His faithfulness. —“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). 5. Serve Others Intentionally • Look for needs in family, church, workplace, neighborhood. • Share time, skills, or resources; God’s goodness often flows through your own hands. —“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand” (Ephesians 2:10). 6. Fellowship with Believers • Worship together, share testimonies, carry burdens. • Community magnifies individual sightings of God’s goodness. —“Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). Common Obstacles and Simple Remedies • Distraction: silence devices, set boundaries for focused time with God. • Doubt: rehearse fulfilled promises; recall past deliverances. • Unconfessed sin: repent quickly to restore unhindered fellowship. • Isolation: keep close contact with mature believers who point you back to truth. The Steady Rewards • Deepened assurance of salvation—“you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:3). • Heightened peace that steadies the heart in trials. • Growing appetite for holiness and eternal things. • Contagious joy that draws others to “taste and see” for themselves. Moving Forward Every sunrise offers fresh opportunities to sample the kindness of the Lord. Lift the spoon of Scripture, breathe thanks, act in obedience, and let each experience confirm anew: “The LORD is good and His loving devotion endures forever” (Psalm 100:5). |
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