What a beautiful reminder from Psalm 34:8! *"Taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"* This verse calls us to experience God’s goodness firsthand—not just to hear about it, but to trust Him so deeply that we find our safety and satisfaction in Him alone. Too often, we rely on our own understanding, our plans, or even the fleeting comforts of this world, but the Lord invites us to *taste*—to personally encounter His faithfulness, mercy, and love.
This isn’t a passive invitation. It requires action: stepping out in faith, obeying His Word, and surrendering our fears and doubts to Him. When we do, we discover that He is not just good in theory, but *good to us* in our daily lives—providing, protecting, and guiding us in ways we could never orchestrate ourselves. The blessing comes not from circumstances, but from the refuge we find in Him, regardless of what we face.
Yet how often do we, like the Israelites in the wilderness, grumble when things don’t go our way, forgetting the miracles He’s already performed? Or like Peter, take our eyes off Jesus when the waves of life roar around us? This verse challenges us to *keep tasting*—to remember His past faithfulness and trust Him for the future. His goodness isn’t dependent on our feelings or situations; it’s rooted in His unchanging character.
Let us also consider: Are there areas where we’ve been "sampling" the world’s empty promises instead of feasting on the Lord’s goodness? Have we taken refuge in relationships, success, or comfort rather than in Him? Repentance may be needed here, turning back to the only One who truly satisfies.
We pray together now for hearts that hunger for Him above all else:
*"Heavenly Father, we thank You for the invitation to taste and see Your goodness. Forgive us for the times we’ve sought fulfillment in anything or anyone but You. Renew our trust in You, Lord, so that we might take refuge in You alone—not in our own strength, not in the approval of others, not in the temporary pleasures of this world. Open our eyes to see Your hand at work in our lives, even in the small things. When fear or doubt creeps in, remind us of Your faithfulness. Teach us to delight in You, to seek You first, and to find our blessing in Your presence. May our lives testify to Your goodness so that others, too, might taste and see that You are good. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and Refuge. Amen."*
Friends, let this be our anthem today: *"The Lord is good—a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him"* (Nahum 1:7). Will you join us in making a conscious choice to trust Him afresh, to "taste" His goodness through prayer, His Word, and obedience? Share how you’ve seen His goodness in your life—let’s encourage one another with testimonies of His faithfulness! And if there’s an area where you’re struggling to trust Him, let’s bring it before the throne together. He is waiting to show Himself strong on your behalf.