O TASTE...AND SEE

O taste and see that the Lord
is good: blessed is the man that
trusteth in Him.
Psalm 34:8

All of our physical senses are important. If asked to give even on of them up, it would be an almost impossible decision....sight, hearing, touch, sight and taste. Looming ahead of us are some special days (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years), all days that involve something we dearly love...EATING. In those days and days leading up to them, there will be a lot of eating going on. It's mouth-watering just thinking about all the social events we will take part in that will present us with some of the most delightful foods and aromas that will prove to be irrestible.

There is one thing, though, that might prevent us from making utter gorging fools of ourselves and that is TASTE. I don't care how good a kitchen or dining room smells or how well presented the foods are, put a fried pork chop in front of me and I will gag to no end. Pork chops used to be one of my favorite things but not anymore. You see, our ability to taste isn't something that is a norm for some of us. For me, an accident with a head injury changed my taste in some foods for the rest of my life. Before, there wasn't anything in the way of food I didn't like but now it's different. Our taste in foods can be altered by a physical event, medications, or physical conditions.

Over the next few weeks, we will do a lot of tasting. Some things we will spoon onto our plates with great gusto while some other things, we will politely avoid. We know what tastes good and what doesn't whether it be regular entree's, desserts or things we drink. We will do all to satisfy the tastes we crave. Sometimes, certain foods may not look good just in their presentation. Thus, another sense, our sight may take over that may discourge our eating something.

The Psalmist suggests in the above verse that we taste and see. This time, food isn't even a part of our scenerio. Tasting is something we do when first approaching a food product. Tasting is something we do to first see if a dish is agreeable. Tasting is often a test as the Psalmist is suggesting to a reader. We are encouraged to taste AND see the goodness of the Lord. My question is, “What's not to like?” Our culture tells us that the Lord doesn't look good or even taste good. They come to such conclusions without having done either because Jesus isn't someone they would even invite to a Christmas party because to them, He just doesn't fit in.

For many of us, one taste and view of Jesus was all we needed. Some may have done some tasting for a good while before deciding how really “delicious” Jesus is. Delicious is another definition for something that tastes good. When we find something that tastes good, we usually want more and more of it. As I read this verse, I recall how good the Lord has been in my own life. I have seen and tasted His goodness toward me when I least deserved His loving kindness. Sweet fellowship with Him can't be surpassed and the rest of the verse indicates such. When we taste of Him and see Him and how good He is, the process brings about a trust in Him we can't explain. Our trust in others is often flawed because of our humanity, but our trust in Him is safe and secure. Our tasting Him should be every moment thing.

In coming days, we'll do a lot of eating and fellowshiping with family and friends. My prayer for all of us is that we won't leave our Heavenly Father out of all our celebrating. Tasting of Him will mean approaching Him with a grateful heart for all His goodness in our lives. Hopefully we will make time to really SEE Him as we meet with Him through His Word, in prayer and in serving others in His name through all the holiday festivities.

I am personally so grateful for each friend it's my joy to share with on a weekly basis. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. My prayer is that we will continue to taste and see Jesus in all His glory. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day.

Dear Father God, I can't sufficiently express my gratitude to You for what You mean to me...for Your presence in the good times and Your faithfulness and guidance in the difficult ones. Without Jesus, we wouldn't even have one iota of understanding what true gratitude is. I pray these things in His precious name....Amen