Taste and See
 By Maria Drayton

Taste and see that the Lord is good;   blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

Do you ever wonder why people take pictures of their food?  I do.  Almost like the picture itself has a scratch and sniff feature built-in.  Once someone tried to explain to me that it’s the presentation that captivates a person.  Basically, the look of the food makes you want it.  What I find interesting is the strongest of the human senses is actually smell and the weakest being taste.

When I taste something that’s when I really know whether I like it or not.  I don’t know that by looking at it.  I don’t know if I like it by simply smelling it (although this is my son’s favorite way to determine if something should be eaten). But when I taste something, that’s when I know if it’s good or not.

I find it interesting that when Psalm 34:8 tells us, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” It doesn’t say see and taste that the Lord is good rather taste then see.  Just like with food.  We can’t see that something is good but we must taste it first.  Oh, that you would “taste and see that the Lord is good!”  

Since we “walk by faith and not by sight” as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:7, we are being told that if we are to have faith it is not by relying on what we deem the most important sense, sight.  But rather rely on the weakest sense, which is taste.  Because when we are weak He is made strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

One day my son asked me a question that I found hard to answer.  “Why does God allow bad things to happen?  If He’s God can’t He just stop them from happening?”  This question from a teenager is a big one.  One that I prayed before I answered.  Ultimately, my answer was “God is not the reason why bad things happen but He can still make bad things that happen be for our good in the end.”  I had explained to him that he would not be here if my mother hadn’t died.  The biggest loss in my life also marked my biggest blessing, which was him.  This was a story that I told him but he still has to learn for himself that the Lord is good.  He has to have a taste.  He has to have faith.  Then he will see.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NIV

It is with and by faith that I understand who He is.  God is hope.  God is love.   And now I’ve tasted and also see that He is good!  

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? Romans 8:24 NIV

Thank You Lord for allowing us to taste and then see that You are so very good.  You are not only good but our refuge in times of trouble.  You cause good things to happen even from the bad.  You are our peace during a storm. Thank You for allowing us to taste and see You in everything.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For more encouragement, visit Maria at mariadrayton.com

© 2020 by Maria Drayton.  All rights reserved.

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