Taste and See
READ
What does it mean to "taste and see" God's goodness? This evocative phrase invites us into an experience far beyond intellectual assent. Just as we can describe the flavor of chocolate to someone who's never tasted it, but they'll never truly know until they experience it themselves, God's goodness is meant to be personally encountered.
Let’s take a moment to read Psalm 34:8:
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
REFLECT
The psalmist David wrote these words while fleeing for his life, pretending to be insane before a foreign king to escape death. Even in this desperate situation, he recognized God's goodness wasn't just a theological concept but a lived reality. This tells us something profound: God's goodness isn't dependent on our circumstances. When life seems anything but good, God remains unchangeably good in His nature.
The invitation to "taste" suggests God's goodness is accessible, available, and meant to be personally experienced. It's not distant or theoretical. And this isn't a one-time sampling but a continual feast—a lifetime of discovering new dimensions of His goodness that nourish our souls.
The second half of the verse reveals the practical outcome: "blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." The Hebrew word for "blessed" (ashrei) conveys a state of genuine happiness and contentment. By taking refuge in God's goodness—especially during life's storms—we discover a shelter that transforms our experience. We find ourselves not just protected but genuinely happy, regardless of external circumstances.
This verse challenges our consumer mindset that often treats God like a product to be evaluated based on what He provides. Instead, it invites us to recognize that God's goodness is intrinsic to who He is, not just what He does. He isn't good because He meets our expectations or fulfills our wishes; He is good because goodness is fundamental to His nature.
The invitation remains open to everyone: taste and see. No matter what you've been told about God, no matter what disappointments you've experienced, no matter how circumstances may have clouded your view—you're invited to experience His goodness firsthand. Like sitting down to a feast prepared by a master chef, the experience itself will convince you in ways arguments never could.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
When was a time you personally "tasted" God's goodness in a way that went beyond intellectual understanding?
What practical step could you take today to more intentionally "taste and see" God's goodness?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Gracious Father, open my spiritual senses to experience Your goodness in fresh ways today. When life's challenges tempt me to doubt Your character, help me remember that Your goodness isn't dependent on my circumstances but on Your unchanging nature. Draw me into the refuge of Your presence where I can taste Your goodness anew. Amen.