Trusting and Tasting the Goodness of God!
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him ~ Psalm 34:8.
Introduction
The cheerful truth that all believers must, with the most profound admiration, tightly embrace is that the Lord is good. His goodness is particularly amiable and very tasteful indeed! Any day, good or bad, God is good. He never changes. Goodness is an essential property of His divine nature (Exodus 34:6).
Divine goodness has different designations depending on its objective focus, or the objects on which it terminates, per time. It is called “grace” when it confers happiness without merits. And, when it commiserates the wretched and makes them happy, it is called “mercy”.
Goodness is called “long-suffering” when it delays to punish sinners, and it is called “forgiveness” when it pardons the guilty. When it raises the spiritual status of the simple believer, it is called “righteousness”. And, it is called “truth” when it provokes blessings according to the divine promises.
In His Providence, God opens His hands and amply satisfies the needs of every living thing (Psalm 145:16). He’s "the Preserver of men" (Job 7:20). By the power of His blessing, He provides every means of preservation — food, clothing, security and suitable abodes (Proverbs 10:22). He also gives us health, without which, all the objects of time lose their charms (Exodus 15:26).
Indeed, most gloriously, God’s goodness is made manifest in His work of Redemption through Christ Jesus. The taste of the pudding, they say, is in the eating! We must advance in our faith, therefore, to taste and see that the Lord is good!
Taste And See That the Lord Is Good?
What does it really mean to “taste and see that the Lord is good”? Seeing or tasting something is certainly deeper than just reading or hearing about it, or even believing it. Seeing or tasting has to do with personal experiences.
For example, you may have heard so much about coconut rice, and may even have seen people who enjoy it, but it remains subjective in your personal experience until you have tasted it.
Similarly, you may believe that God is good, but it’s a totally different thing to experience His goodness in every area of your life—health, family, finances etc. No doubt, God wants His children to enjoy His characteristic goodness to the fullest, till it overflows (John 10:10)!
Now, it sounds a bit odd to “taste” the Lord’s goodness, doesn’t it? Anyhow, it’s truly wonderful that little creatures like us, time-limited and space-bound, are called to “taste and see” the goodness of God! Nevertheless, we must do our due diligence to investigate the divine intentions here closely.
In the etymological context of the word, “taste” (ta`am, Hebrew) means, “to taste, perceive, eat.” And, “see” (ra’ah, Hebrew) means, “perceive, have vision, look at, look upon, observe, gaze at, look intently at, and look at each other.”
The clearer picture here is that we are meant to fully experience the goodness of the Lord. But, we can’t have this unless we look intently at Him. It’s not just an occasional glance, it’s a gaze. We’re to fix our eyes on the Lord, fully and intimately.
The human soul tastes the goodness of God when it abandons itself to Him in desperate and hopeful dependence, trusting the Lord and taking refuge in Him — in all circumstances, good or bad, little or big. This is the path to true and deepest happiness!
At this stage, I sincerely hope you’ve resolved to start enjoying the fullness of God’s goodness, henceforth. If so, please know, basically, that we taste the special goodness of God when we fully embrace the gospel of Christ, and run to Him as the Rock that was split open so that we might hide within (Exodus 33:19; 1 Peter 2:2-3; Hebrews 6:18). Thereafter, the following purposeful steps will assist in guiding you aright.
First, retune your mind to the goodness of God (Romans 12:2). This entails discovering for yourself from the Bible that God is the God of mercy (Psalm 86:5), loving-kindness (Jeremiah 9:24), and compassion (Psalm 145:8). Renewing your mind is the most fundamental thing that can truly open you up to God’s overflowing goodness.
Secondly, you must believe that you will see God’s goodness in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). You cannot “see” the way forward if you do not believe. God’s goodness covers your case (Psalm 84:11; 145:9). It is His good pleasure to give you the good things of the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). When you catch this revelation, you will be able to relax and, by faith, receive what you need from Him.
Thirdly, receive the goodness of God, there and now. God wants you to have whatsoever you longed for, prayed for or dreamt about, if it lines up with God’s Word (Psalm 84:11). Just obey God and receive His promises by faith. Never doubt Him and don’t allow fear to stop you. Go forward, it’s your time to taste and see that the Lord is good!
Friends, God’s goodness is taste-worthy, always. David was speaking a language of experience when he said, "O taste and see!" He remembered that it was God that raised him from obscurity, and made him a king. It was God that preserved his life from the bear, the lion, Goliath, and the furious Saul.
King Saul was all-out to get him because of his fits of jealousy that David would soon replace him. He began to pursue David to kill him (1 Samuel 19). As a result, David became a fugitive in the land of the Philistines.
It was a very desperate moment for David, and he resorted to extreme measures — he feigned insanity and even slobbered on his beard to save his life (1 Samuel 21:14-15). It worked! And, as a result, we now have David’s words in Psalm 34.
We are all called, like David, to draw closer to God and enjoy His goodness. We may occasionally experience hard times in life. The righteous person may have many troubles, but God is able to deliver His servants from all their troubles.
In all circumstances, we must fix our eyes on Jesus and experience His goodness and love, waiting on Him in prayers to intervene in our circumstances and remembering His faithfulness in our lives. By so doing, we will really taste and see that the Lord is good!
In conclusion, note that this is a hearty invitation prompted by love, "O taste and see that the Lord is good!" Here, David seems to be saying, “I have tasted God’s goodness, and I want others to taste it also”. All of us — men, women, young and old — should rise up now to embrace the goodness of God. It is an invitation to honour!
However, partaking of God’s goodness will certainly require a renewal of heart through genuine repentance, an entire dependence upon God by faith.
Trusting in the Lord and constantly depending on Him provokes invaluable blessings (Psalm 40:4). Looking willingly to our Father to meet our needs provides direction and protection. He calls us blessed, and He coats us with His favour.
Furthermore, a true devotion to God’s appointed place for tasting the divine goodness is also very much important. It’s your turn to experience the goodness of the Lord: be part of His church’s family and regularly attend to ordinances, the Word, prayers and fellowship with other believers (John 6:51, 54-57). You won’t miss it, in Jesus name. Amen. Happy Sunday!
** Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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