Read: Psalm 34:1-14
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! (v. 8)
Some of my most simple but treasured memories are tied to specific tastes and experiences. Like catch-of-the-day lobster on a trip to the Atlantic coast with my husband or the first buttery sweet corn of the season with my family gathered around the kitchen table or a bowl of apple crisp enjoyed during the heart of autumn. Today, on Thanksgiving, many of us will savor the feast and make memories with family and friends.
In Psalm 34, specifically verse 8, we are invited to taste God’s goodness. For me, David’s words evoke a picture of a passionate chef whose anticipation for us to partake is matched by the desire for us to linger over each bite, to the extent of sitting back in the chair, closing our eyes, and smiling peacefully, all as a result of this sweet offering. God’s goodness is like the best meal we have ever had, and it nourishes us body, mind, and spirit.
It’s important for us to remember that the opportunity to truly taste God’s goodness is available for believers only because of Christ’s willingness to taste death on the cross on our behalf. He was beaten, scourged, and eventually crucified (Mark 15:15-24), having turned down the offer of wine that could have dulled the pain (v. 23), before conquering hell so we don’t have to endure it. Jesus’s most sacrificial outpouring of love is the greatest act of goodness possible. Our best response to this is to live lives of gratitude, grace, and love, inviting others to “taste and see.” (v. 8).
As you pray, close your eyes and savor God’s goodness.
About the Author
Joy Petroelje serves as the grants manager for a faith-based international nonprofit organization. Aside from work, she enjoys family time, coffee or dinner with friends, writing, reading, and running.
