Tasting goodness
This week is on Psalm 34:4-8:
These verses are part of a Psalm King David composed when he escaped from a king by pretending to be insane. You'd think he'd be all upset at having to make a fool of himself in order to save his own life, but instead he's overjoyed. He credits God with delivering him, which makes me wonder if the crazy act was God's idea somehow and he was just going along.
Despite having to put on an act of being crazy, David's face is not ashamed. Everything that he needed to happen in order to be free has happened. With God's help, he defied the odds.
He says to taste and see that the Lord is good. The word to "taste" here means to savour something and enjoy it. It isn't David offering us a tiny piece of God's goodness on the end of a toothpick like it's some supermarket cheese. It's David sharing what's being served up, encouraging us to have some and to enjoy it and experience it with him. He's not saying "try a sample and if you want more you have to go and buy it." He's saying "you've got to have some of this! It's good!"
It is good. When we're freed from something, whether it's prison, captivity, sickness, a stressful situation, poverty, or whatever, recognizing God's hand in it makes it even sweeter. Instead of bragging about how he got out and how clever he is, David credited God instead. The simple facts were that he could have had his hands and toes cut off and been made Abimelek's slave for life, or worse, but instead he was now free and unharmed. His prayers were answered.
If a king can stop to recognize God's hand in his life and savour it, we can too. Make a point to recognize God's work in your life and to enjoy it for what it is.
I sought the Lord’s help and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help are happy;
their faces are not ashamed.
This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard;
he saved him from all his troubles.
The Lord’s angel camps around
the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good!
How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him!
These verses are part of a Psalm King David composed when he escaped from a king by pretending to be insane. You'd think he'd be all upset at having to make a fool of himself in order to save his own life, but instead he's overjoyed. He credits God with delivering him, which makes me wonder if the crazy act was God's idea somehow and he was just going along.
Despite having to put on an act of being crazy, David's face is not ashamed. Everything that he needed to happen in order to be free has happened. With God's help, he defied the odds.
He says to taste and see that the Lord is good. The word to "taste" here means to savour something and enjoy it. It isn't David offering us a tiny piece of God's goodness on the end of a toothpick like it's some supermarket cheese. It's David sharing what's being served up, encouraging us to have some and to enjoy it and experience it with him. He's not saying "try a sample and if you want more you have to go and buy it." He's saying "you've got to have some of this! It's good!"
It is good. When we're freed from something, whether it's prison, captivity, sickness, a stressful situation, poverty, or whatever, recognizing God's hand in it makes it even sweeter. Instead of bragging about how he got out and how clever he is, David credited God instead. The simple facts were that he could have had his hands and toes cut off and been made Abimelek's slave for life, or worse, but instead he was now free and unharmed. His prayers were answered.
If a king can stop to recognize God's hand in his life and savour it, we can too. Make a point to recognize God's work in your life and to enjoy it for what it is.
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