TASTE – TEST – TRUST

Psalm 34:8

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

Someone has seen in this verse, a challenge to experiment. Well, we do have here the expression of fact that is to be realized in experiences of trust. This verse does set before us the fact that “God is good” in the first part, and in the second part that we are blessed in finding out.

Ps 34:1-7,9 – “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them…O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”

We can tell from the context of our text that David knew what he was talking about. He had come to know by experience the “goodness of the Lord.” He was stirred to say, “O magnify the Lord with me.” From this expression, “O,” we sense his being charged with excitement, and coming to us with an inspired urgency that demands our attention. He is saying far more than, ‘Try it, you will like it.’ It seems to be more like, ‘oh, you have to give the Lord the full trial of your complete trust’! When we get a real taste of our God’s great goodness we can’t stop with just one.

It is so very important to insist on sound doctrine. I appreciate that fact more and more all the time. But I also pray, Lord help us avoid an ‘imbalance.’ It seems that we can get so occupied with being accurate, dotting every “I” and crossing every “T,” and becoming so intellectual with the letter of scripture, that we miss the spirit of the message.

I enjoy being analytical with portions of scripture, word studies, looking into the meanings of names and numbers. Yet, I am reminded to never neglect or refuse to realize the great importance of experience, wherein we come to know God’s goodness in heart reality. We sometimes seem prone to try to make doctrine fit our experience, but if we will yield to the Holy Spirit, submit to the Word, walk in the light, not just by feeling or by sight, the Lord in His great goodness will bring our experience into harmony with the rightly divided Word of Truth. What a blessing!

I have heard testimonies of several who said they experienced something real in their heart, and knew with full assurance that it was true, before they actually saw it in the Scripture. Then great joy followed when they found scriptural basis. We realize that God is not to be hindered in the illiteracy nor the intelligence of man in making know His goodness.

WHO WILL TASTE? A man who sat at Jesus’ table once said, “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” Then Jesus answered, “A certain man made a great supper and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have brought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. Now, when the servant reported this, the master of the house told him to go out and bring in the poor, maimed, the halt, and the blind” (Lk. 14:15-21). This and many other scriptures indicate, and illustrate that it is those with a real sense of need who will taste of the rich supply of our God’s great goodness.

Oh, what a rich and enriching, abundant, and satisfying feast God has spread out for mankind, of his immeasurable goodness. It is sad to see so many who choose to refuse, and are making excuse after excuse.

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou are that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doeth the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Rom. 2:1-4.

Oh yes, there are those today who are esteeming lightly, or disregarding the riches of God’s goodness, which He has sent to turn us around. How kindly He would turn us from the destruction of our way. We cannot ignore the fact, the purpose, for the dispersing of our God’s great goodness.

When Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel to Lystra,  and by faith healed the man that was lame from birth,  the people were ready to worship them, making them Grecian idols. Paul said to them; “Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” – Acts 14:15-17.

TASTE AND TELL: I am so glad that even down to today God has always had a witness here on earth of this marvelous characteristic, even in the darkest of times. Mankind is still exclaiming from experience; “Our God is so good”! We are challenged to know it by experience and share it with others. Peter urges those who have tested of the Lord’s graciousness to desire the milk of the Word to grow thereby. Then Paul encourages us to assimilate the meat of the Word for practical use. The Holy spirit is sent to make the Word we take in a part of us so that we grow into a deeper, richer, fuller appreciation, and appropriation of our Lord’s gracious goodness. Then he says, “Let your speech by always with grace, seasoned with salt.” Paul prayed that the “Lord fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in us, and we in him…”. So our receptiveness to His working will indeed result in glory.
J. D.