O Taste and See!

By Pastor Ken Foreman

Text: Psalm 34:8 - "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."

David, the author of this psalm, had humble beginnings as a keeper of sheep. God had plans for his life and David prepared himself by developing a praise and worship habit in the back of beyond. He opens this psalm with an invitation to join him in praise to the Lord.

The world is an uncertain place. Blessed assurance is not going to be found there - there is only one place of safety, one refuge; it is Jesus!

David had purposed in his heart that the praise he was offering was going to be based on his personal experiences. He was convinced that if you could just understand how good his experiences were, you would want to try God for yourself. "O taste and see that the LORD is good!" Try it! You'll like it!

God's plans for His people are good - He has good things in his mind. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD..." (Jeremiah 29:11-14a) It's His desire that all would come.

Once we comprehend what He is, then we can understand who He is. He said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

Paul said, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." ( II Corinthians 5:19)

Trying Jesus opens whole new vistas, a whole new level of understanding, new realms of possibility... "O taste and see that the LORD is good!"

Some once tried and tasted, but they've forgotten how good He is. They wander off, and, like the prodigal, settle for corn husks and swine's slop. But when they hit bottom and find the grace to come to themselves, they see the need to arise and go home, where the Father is waiting with open arms. In the Father's house, a wondrous meal is prepared, the flavors of "home cooking" are beyond compare. Celebration and rejoicing ring the rafters as he, who was prodigal, but is no more, sings, "O taste and see that the LORD is good!