ODJ: taste and see

August 22, 2015 

READ: Psalm 34:1-8 

Taste and see that the LORD is good (v.8).

A friend posted a crockpot recipe on her Facebook page. The meal looked good, so I downloaded the recipe—intending to use it one day. The following week, another friend said she was looking for some good slow-cooker meals to prepare, so I emailed her the crockpot recipe I had seen on Facebook. She, in turn, forwarded it to several friends who passed it on as well.

Later, while talking with friends, I learned that the recipe had been forwarded far and wide though no one—not even the friend who posted it originally—had actually made the dish. We recommended it without having tasted it.

On occasion we do something similar in matters of faith. While our motives to build “others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV) are good ones, and biblical, it’s often easier to post others’ stories about trusting God than to exercise faith in Him ourselves.

For example, we might post an anecdote on Facebook encouraging others to “taste and see that the LORD is good”, “take refuge in him” and “fear him” so they will “have all they need” (Psalm 34:8-9). At the same time, however, we’re not doing those things.

With this observation I’m not seeking to point out areas of hypocrisy. I’m simply noting that God doesn’t want me just to talk about Him; He wants me to experience Him. He wants us to know Him deeply and to taste and see that He is good!

We can experience deeper intimacy with Christ by:

• praising Him and exalting in who He is (vv.1,3).

• praying to Him and listening for His voice (vv.4,6).

• enjoying His goodness as we take refuge in Him (v.8).

—Roxanne Robbins

365-day-plan: Luke 18:1-14