Have you ever been amazed by the myriad of flavors in our foods and drinks? Take a moment to contemplate what that reveals about God. In His graciousness, God gave us more than just sustenance; He blessed us with the enjoyment of diverse tastes. This might be one way God expresses His goodness and invites us to find joy in Him. He wants us to taste and see His goodness.
The psalmist in Psalm 34:8 invites us to taste and see the goodness of God:
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
Psalm 34:8, English Standard Version
God’s goodness is present in every aspect of our lives, both grand and minute. When we encounter pleasant experiences, it’s a call to turn our hearts and gratitude back to Him. Surprisingly, the joy found in God is similar to the delight we experience with flavorful foods. This reminds us that all joy originates from a loving God who enjoys giving us good things.
Paul emphasizes this in 1 Timothy 6:17, “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment” (NLT).
God’s provisions extend beyond mere survival; they encompass the joys that enrich our lives. The most precious gifts are those that direct our hearts toward His goodness. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Consider a summer day spent relaxing on a beach, basking in the warmth of the sun. Suddenly clouds move in and cover the sun causing a chill to come over you. Unlike the ever-moving shadows, God remains a constant and reliable source of goodness. James’ words invite us to trust in God’s unwavering nature, bringing joy in times of weariness and hope amidst despair. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Father God, You are truly the God of joy and I give thanks for the gift of celebration! Thank You for infusing life with moments of wonder, for making food full of flavor, for giving me the gift of truly enjoying so many little things throughout my day. Help me see the connection between those good gifts, and the goodness of Your character. You are worthy of praise, oh giver of joy! Amen.
Listen now to the short version of this Abide meditation, “Taste and See,” based on Psalm 34:8. Let God invite you to experience His goodness throughout your day.
Let Abide be your daily companion as you taste and see the goodness of God. Our more than 1500 biblical meditations all exist to help you see and know God better. Download the app and start a premium subscription. This gains you access to our entire library of content. Use this link for 25% off.
